A Year of Gratitude – January 23, 2024

I found my gratitude in the garden this morning. We woke up to a fresh layer of snow and a sky thick with more snow to

follow. It was a reminder that winter is here to stay for a while, not that I needed to be reminded.

As I went about my morning farm chores, I passed by the spot where our fig tree is planted. When fall started to turn to winter, we built a little snow fence around it. We gave it a thick bed of leaves to help protect it from the cold and snow.

There’s nothing to do now but wait for spring to arrive. I hope that our work will protect this new fig tree from the New England winter and that it will live to feel the warm sun on its limbs, stretch itself towards the sky, and grow new leaves to sustain itself.

When you think about it, that’s what we’re doing in this life. We try to protect the people and living things in our care from harm. We hope that we have done enough to keep the safe. Then we can only wait and trust that a new season will arrive and being with it a chance for growth and grand possibilities.

Nature has so much to teach us. I know that it is my hope that you are safe and protected from life’s bitter cold. I hope that you will give yourself the time and space to rest while we wait for that warm sun to arrive. Turn your face towards that sunlight and get ready for the new growth and possibilities ahead. They’re waiting for us like a beautiful spring day.

This post is part of our A Year of Gratitude Series. You can find the introduction, inspiration, and entire year’s gratitude’s posts here.