Soul Sisters Share

© 2010 Dr. Judy Krings

I made a nun’s day today. God winked. The unsuspecting Sister smiled and so did I.

After planting a couple thousand plants in the last two weeks, no exaggeration and my fingernails prove it, I still had a few straggler plants waiting to show off in their new home. I never have peace until the every plant is dug in. I gathered up the last flat of blue ageratum and headed for the small triangle berm next to the highway walking/ biking path. I mused this was the first year I didn’t get them planted before Memorial Day. The red geraniums paid tribute to our veterans without their usual blue partner.

I looked up and saw a gal about my age sauntering along, her face festooned with a Huck Finn grin. I noticed her black sweater and slacks.

Then serendipity. I had picked up my small American flag at exactly the same time I noticed the flag emblem on her Roncalli High School t-shirt, my younger son’s Alma mater. I asked her if she was a nun, a lucky guess on my part. She is, and also my neighbor across the highway. She lives at the high school and works in a small town school nearby.

Sister Dolores and I exchanged pleasantries. I told her about my blog the other day about feeling guilty when I had made that blasphemous statement about feeling like God after most of the planting was done. She understood and affirmed she bet God would have liked that thought. He was into gardens! A nun with humor. Cool. She happily admired my gardens and said they lifted her spirit.

Then I let her in on a little secret. The best part of my garden was in the back of the house. I asked her if she would like to saunter around, take a peek, and enjoy herself. Curious eyebrows raised in anticipation, Delighted Sister Dolores strolled towards the lake. As I finished planting the last ageratum, she and I met in the driveway. Her mouth agape with gratitude, she soulfully shared her appreciation. I invited to her come back and roam around anytime her heart desired.

Joy is in the journey. When you surprise someone, their joy adds to yours. But you get a double whammy of feeling good. To know you made someone’s moment magic.

I bet if Sister Dolores and I asked each other, we’d both say we were the happier. Meeting her and knowing she was so tickled after basking in my garden glory, I felt like the one in heaven, even though she’s the one with the direct connection.

Garden Soul Sisters.

So who might you surprise today?
Go ahead. Take a risk. Say “Hi!” to a stranger.
Maybe your whole life will change.