Terra
My dearest reader,
I’ll be honest with you, I have a lot on my mind today and there’s a lot I want to say but don’t know how. So much, actually, that I considered sending a short “I have no story to share this week, if you need me I will be hiding under a blanket” newsletter and calling it a day. It’s been a heavy news week, and although I spent hours trying to organize the jumble of thoughts in my head to get something on e-paper (screen?), it’s not something I can pull off late the night before. I did try, and I failed.
Having said that, this is a weekly newsletter celebrating women and this week I self-servingly want to share a story I wrote about my mother and how she cares for all of us.
She truly loved this house. From the outside it looked just like any other house in a suburban neighborhood. A little white box. A replica of hundreds of other four bedroom homes scattered across the country. But on the inside, it was an oasis.
In this little paradise, in this tiny town, resides a happy little family of four. Early in the morning, while dad reads the newspaper on the balcony, mom steps out into the garden. She takes a deep breath and reaches for the hose. The roses perk up, the cherry tomato plant elegantly dangles its ruby earrings, and the citrus trees sway gently back and forth in the morning breeze, all in an effort to be the first in line for water.
Gathered in the fig tree, a group of sparrows, pigeons, and blue jays passionately discuss who gets first dibs on food as mom fills up the bird feeders. A small squirrel family hiding in the bushes decides it’s safer to patiently wait under the deck for a shot at the seeds. The hummingbirds are unfazed; they have their own private feeder.
Over at the little pond, from under the broadleaves and water lilies, the goldfish carefully watch as mom scatters algae flakes on the water. Two dragonflies rush over to the pond and grab as much food as they can before the goldfish reach the surface.
The sun melts away the remainder of the morning fog. A little girl peaks her head out the window. “Mommy, can you make us an omelette today?” she asks playfully. “Yay omelette!” a little boy reiterates from behind her. Mom blows them a kiss and walks inside. Mother earth smiles. This might be her favorite house within a hundred miles.
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