Asparagus Fern and Cactus

Day 253: Asparagus Fern and Cactus

I stumbled upon this while walking along
the Huron River near the Arb. Lovely.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Free of commercialism, there's no reason for ambivalence. The food is whole and healthy. With no religious content, it is devoid of divisiveness, and yet every religion on Earth has gratitude at its core. It is a moment to cultivate contentment. It is a deep breath.

I've had to let go of a lot of things these past few months: my bees, my chickens, my daughter. Today, more on that theme: after only four weeks in the house, the asparagus fern and cactus are already starting to die. Happily, my mother has agreed to take them in. Each time I've had to let go of something, someone has taken over for me, happily, cheerfully, gratefully - not at all as if I was passing along a burden, but as if I'm passing along a treasure. Colleagues, family, teachers, friends. What a reason for gratitude.

I made a tapestry a few years ago called "Mother o' Pearl's Blessing and Miracles." There are so many, it was hard to choose. Clean water and central heat. Vaccinations. Food on the table. Night sounds. Spring. Rich's sense of humor. My tall black boots. Hand-me-downs from my sister. My dog, my garden, butterflies and birds. Music, and love, and Rich's sense of humor. A changing moon.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I sing the body electric,

The armies of those I love engirth me and I engirth them,

They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them,

And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the soul.

- Walt Whitman