Friday, June 28, 2024

Dear God,

Today I drove an hour to a beautiful orchard in southern New Hampshire.  Certain I would be one of the first to arrive, I was shocked to wait in a long line of cars to enter the farm.  By the time I got my box for picking raspberries and a larger one for sweet cherries, the heat was already rising.  But what a special treat it was to listen to the sounds of grandparents and their grandchildren as they picked the luscious fruit.  As fellow pickers, we talked and shared recipes for cherries, raspberries and strawberries.  It was a magnificent day listening and talking, smiling and sharing.  It was as if everyone there, young and old, was desperate to offer and receive special gestures of kindness.  Seemed like we were hungry for civility, openness, inclusion, joy, hope and peace.  I must admit I was taken aback by the goodness of the fruit pickers.

What I know was three and a half hours later in my car, I sang hymns in praise and thanksgiving for the great day I had already shared with strangers made friends around cherry trees and raspberry vines.

Loving God,

you offer

unexpected gifts

all the time.

Today was

so special.

I think

everyone there

felt their

hearts lifted

and their

minds cleared.

Today we

certain got more

than we expected!

Love, Andrea