Like most “mid-century” baby boomers
I spent a lot of time outside
While I was growing up.
That’s understandable
Since I grew up on a farm.
After school and summers
Were spent outside.
My favorite memories are sheep related.
Thoughts of walking into the pastures
Bringing in the sheep each night
Along with annual sheep shearing
Still bring a smile to my heart.
My growing up wasn’t all that different from my contemporaries.
Friends who grew up in town
Talk about playing in the neighborhood till dark
Everyday.
Over the span of the decades
Things have changed.
So it’s fun
When you get a call like I did on Saturday.
It seems that Lily and her father had been out gathering ladybugs
Successfully.
And she had grown attached to them.
Now we all know what will happen to captured ladybugs.
They just aren’t meant to live in captivity
And they won’t for very long.
So after a day or two Lily’s mom, Jami
Finally convinced her to set them free.
Luckily for me
They decided my backyard would be a perfect home.
Lily was very careful as she set them free.
Placing each ladybug gently on a leaf
So that they would hopefully find food and shelter.
Her brother William had not really bonded with the ladybugs
But he like many children loved exploring the garden
Going up and down the paths.
It takes awhile to say goodbye to friends.
But ultimately each ladybug had been safely escorted
To a new home.
Lily, William and Jami went on about their Saturday.
I went back to my weeding
The sun set on another glorious spring day.
Why do I mention this.
Because I know all that nature has taught me.
I also know how important it is to let children
Roam in nature
To learn the lessons it has to offer.
One of those lessons is knowing when to let go.
Knowing that there may be a better place for something
Than the plan we had for it.
Lily will take that lesson with her
Buried deep within her memory
Of a Saturday of her youth.
Gail
Here are a few pictures of the “budding of the season”,
In My Garden 