[blockquote source=”Herman Melville”]“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.” [/blockquote]

A violent storm moved through yesterday, with hail the size of quarters and winds that seemed never ending. At times, I felt as if the whole house might be lifted from its foundation – but, in fairness, I do have a writer’s imagination.

I made my way hesitatingly into the yard, expecting to see a scattered mess where the Peonies once bloomed. From the window, I could see the leafy debris strewn across the lawn, while snapped branches hung precariously above.

Even the early birds missed their ‘cue’, and the skies, were busy sopping up the greys from the night before.

I must admit, I was expecting the worst. Though, surprisingly, as I surveyed the yard – I noted only one true ‘casualty’ to that ferocious evening storm.

Laying toppled against the stone garden wall, was my favorite cast iron planter – its contents spilled against the ground. I had assumed by its weight, that it could withstand any storm. But, sadly, to my despair – it was the only thing that had succumbed.

I thought instantly of my daughter, who spent hours sifting through the nursery pallets to find that ‘perfect’ bloom. In the end, it was the rich ombré of periwinkle that captured her heart.

Imagine all that love going into such a tiny garden flower? And yet, now?

sigh…I couldn’t even begin to imagine my daughter’s disappointment.

She had wanted to find a place for them nearest the window, and instinctively a little closer to the ground. But I, convinced her otherwise – insisting this cast iron monstrosity would keep them safest from harm.

You see, I had been so caught up in their adornment, desperate to enhance their display – but, beauty for beauty’s sake is not what the flower needs.

Rather, its growth is deeply vested in its connection to all other things. Even in this muddied aftermath I could plainly see – that the plants most deeply rooted, were impacted the least.

Not even the heaviest of cast iron planters, could stand worthy in this regard.

Because, in the end, my darlings – it’s love which proves our strongest tie.

And, though we may at times feel so distinctly separate in our journey – trust, that there’s always something deeper there to connect us all.