A Year of Gratitude – September 12, 2024

I found my gratitude in a powerful reminder today. That reminder came from the garden. That wasn’t surprising at all.

This time of year, it is easy to find gratitude in the gardens. They’re filled with beautiful flowers and delicious flavors to serve at our family table.

Yet that time is coming to an end. The kitchen garden is still producing tomatoes, but not as many. It is still holding herbs, but they need to be preserved before cold evenings start to take their toll.

The flowers are beginning to fade. Their foliage is beginning to show signs of being finished for the season. Just this week, leaves on our trees are beginning to take on color, a sure sign that fall has arrived.

Yet there are still signs of beautiful life in every corner of our gardens. Even the hydrangeas are still holding on to summer with the same grip that I am. Yes, their colors are a touch less vibrant, but they are no less beautiful. They have aged into something wonderful.

It’s quite amazing when you think about it. These blooms have simply transformed into a new version of themselves, taken on a new color.  And there’s my reminder: age is beautiful. Watching something stand tall in the season they are in is glorious. I have this bloom to thank for that reminder.

#gratitude #grateful #thankful #thankfulness #mindful #mindfulness #garden #nature #flower #age #hydrangea

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.