Thursday, October 10, 2013

The Way Broccoli Grows


It was a Thursday after a hectic day and a flu shot. As I sat in my recliner looking at the beautiful weather outside, an idea for an adventure and a story came to mind so I grabbed my camera and my bike and rode to learn and document how does broccoli grow on North Magnolia Street.

With my camera strung around my neck and Israel Kamakawiwo’le (google him) singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” from my iPhone, my stiff knees pedaled my bike on my almost-a-mile journey.
As I pedaled and listened to one of my favorite songs, my heart embraced the joy of the lyrics. I noticed that I pedaled to the beat of the song, and I felt my face smile.  The joy of the journey became a balm to my day. I settled in for the ride to where the broccoli grew.

As I turned into the driveway on North Magnolia Street, I noticed that Israel sang the song twice as I arrived at my destination.  Dismounting my bike, I notified the broccoli grower that I came to observe how the broccoli was growing. 

With camera at the ready, I began to shoot the tall, blue-green plants marveling at their height and vigor. Small florets of broccoli were centered and protected by huge, healthy leaves, which grew on thick stalks poking out of the dark earth.
Underneath a fading blue sky and waking crescent moon, two bald eagles flew low over my head. The eagles reminded me of my Jesuit-formed perspective.  Everything comes from God and returns to God.  With my heart knowing and grateful for all of God’s blessings, I thanked God for blue-green broccoli, for eagles, for broccoli growers and for broccoli planters.  God’s blessings included sunshine warming my face. The sunshine provided the means necessary for photosynthesis for broccoli growth.  God’s blessing of nourishing rain watered the broccoli, and it’s branches raised high in rejoicing like arms raised in prayerful praise.
Yes, God helps broccoli grow on North Magnolia Street and everywhere it grows.  God helps us grow, too.  God sends us blessings/gifts to guide and help us on our faith journey and to enrich our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters.



Thursday, July 18, 2013

America's Wetland

The wet world of a swollen cypress swamp drinks in nutrients transported by previous rains. Insects are singing. Snakes are slithering and swimming. Frogs are playing hide-and-seek from the birds and the snakes. It’s a happy wetland.