SERENDIPITY!

SERENDIPITY is my favorite word.  Has been for a long time.  It means an unexpected, but pleasant and welcome surprise.

It generally comes when and where you least expect it.  Hence the unexpected surprise. :)

This morning, I was very tired.  On the way to work, I had to stop to get gas because I forgot to last night when I was supposed to of course.  So I was a bit grumpy as well.  But while standing there pumping gas into the car, I looked up and saw the face of a happy little boy on the video screen above the pump.  His name is Kyle, and the video showing explained he has a form of anemia and that he is desperately in need of a marrow donor match in order to live.  The ad then showed his parents asking for donors, and the website for more information (http://www.savekyle.org/). 

All the way into work I thought about this.  In the past I thought about becoming a donor but for some reason I hadn't done it.  I went to the website to read more and link to more information.  I have heard that donating marrow is a very painful process, however, the website also dispells that myth and explains the entire process.  I took the time to register as a marrow donor today.  It took me about 10 minutes to do this, and they will even mail you a free kit to provide the sample needed to test and put you into the donor system. I kept picturing the face of that little boy and it just tears my heart to think how simple it is to become a donor and that it could save a life.   

Today, I found serendipity above a gas station pump.  A good deed, and it brought a great feeling to know I have registered and may be able to help save a life even.  And I implore each of you to please become a donor and to also share this information and encourage others to become donors too.  I have added Kyle to my prayer list and hope you will too.  Let's save some lives.

A Time to Plant

The Byrds once did a song, "Turn, Turn, Turn (For Everything There Is A Season)."  Do you remember it?  Catchy tune. 

What some don't realize is that the lyrics are scripture, from Ecclesiates 3:
"To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."

Its that time of year again.  The sun is shining and when I look out the kitchen window to my garden, I notice how beautiful it looks outside but how bare my little garden is.  I'm so very tempted to begin planting.  I love to watch things grow... see those little seedlings sprout and watch as they grow into beautiful plants that then provide an incredible harvest!  I'm practically drooling at that thought already!

My mind starts to reel with gardening thoughts and plans about this time of year.  I have to get out my gardening journal and start laying out designs and making lists of what seeds I need to order, what supplies to buy, etc.  And this is the time to start seeds indoors. 

Have you ever been the recipient of free fruits and vegetables from someone's garden?  Most of the time we say, "Thank You," and proceed to enjoy them... but how often do we stop to think of the care that went into that fruit or vegetable and how much it is a healthy, nourishing gift selected just for us?  What an incredibly thoughtful gift.  And in this economy, its a very precious one as well.

If you are a gardener yourself, now is the time to start your indoor seeds, and its about time to plant early cold weather vegetables outdoors too (like peas, spinach, etc...).  When you are planting, think about adding a few extra plants to your crop as the "Gifts" to share this year.  Perhaps start some extra seeds indoors and share the plants as they grow strong enough for outdoor planting, or even in a container where they can be kept all summer.  Start some extra flower plants to give for birthdays, mother's day, or "just because" days.  

"A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."