The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Residual dry heat has descended on us signaling a seasonal change, and supplanting the plentiful moisture of spring and summer just past. We had no choice but to declare 2023 The Year Of The Yellow Flower. An optimal balance of moisture, sunshine, and heat produced a garden landscape filled with wild and domestic hues of yellows and bright oranges, more than we had ever seen

False indigo and curlycup gumweed shared space with gaillardia and rudbeckia. Englemann daises and a variety of ornamental sunflowers with broad heads claimed the sunniest spots. Prairie cone flowers were woven between volunteer tulips and daffodils, while straw flowers with their papery feel always drew a crowd. Enamored as we were with the buttery hues, other things were happening behind our backs. At first glance there was nothing to see and then the shimmering yellows and reds leaped from behind the apple tree leaves.

Our first official crop of apples ripened exactly one year ago when we were able to coax two rather unremarkable apples from the small tree. The conditions that aided yellow flowers must also be amenable to apples, as our harvest surpassed all of last year’s by 300 percent (which sounds a lot more impressive than saying, “We had a bumper crop of six apples”).

At first there was nothing to see regarding the three apple trees planted four years ago. Keeping them watered was at times hit and miss, but for the most part, they were doing what young apple trees were supposed to do … grow and mature in anticipation of the future. Spying a nice sized red apple among the foliage was a surprise that led to five more finds in quick succession.

How often do we bypass the growth that is happening in front of us without recognizing it? It is there, waiting for acknowledgement, acceptance, and encouragement. It is up to us to water and nurture it. Can we overcome the bad habit of hanging onto the past without valuing what is helpful and new in our daily lives?

There is a statement to that effect in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. “… If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (1:2-4 NIV)

Imagine, if you will, putting that to the test in our relationships with neighbors, warring cultures, and countries bereft of spiritual community? If that occurred, we might just declare this year as the Year of Thriving Humanity. And why not? Let us plant intentional gardens that invite all manner of wildflowers to flourish alongside, yellow, or not. It could be the best garden we have ever encountered.

“Love is like wildflowers; it’s often found in the most unlikely places.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson