An epiphany

This afternoon I had an epiphany, if you could call it that. A little showering of grace over my heart. My two year old is having a hard time with sleep these days (and has had most days of her life). She didn't nap today, and usually no nap makes for a cranky toddler and a cranky mama. But somehow we both managed to keep good spirits.

 Maybe the discovery of this little garden friend helped.

 Or the fun of pulling off the little poppy "hats."

But certainly just being outside together in the garden, plunging our hands, and our pitchforks, into the soft soil, watching the bees buzz along from flower to flower, smelling the snapdragons and cilantro and thyme, planting young seedlings and wishing them well, certainly this garden bestowed us with peace and cheer.

Which brings me to my little epiphany. A simple one really. Just the plain unadulterated joy of motherhood--of witnessing my child grow more and more capable and independent. This being that was once within me, entirely dependent on me for survival, now able to run and climb and communicate her very own thoughts, and dig holes and plant seedlings, and take delight in her accomplishments!

And I am astonished at this gift I've been given, to witness the growth of this lovely little person, to see her gradually blossom into the fullness of her being.