We Cannot Own. We Can Care For.

The Peace Pond received that Magnolia Tree in 2005. I planted it. Nurtured it. Cried under it. Prayed under it. Read under it. In 2010 the tree, the pond, the gardens, the house were turned over to the people who care for them today. Today I see the tree, the pond, the gardens, the house are happy and healthy. I did my part someone else took it further. I'm grateful someone cares for what mattered to me.

Emma graduates from high school in 3 and a half hours. She invited me to the event....even snatched a ticket for me to get into the gym. A guy I met in 2005 is her father. I knew him well enough to know how much he loved his only daughter. He passed away in 2006.  In 2009 my life and Emma's connected. We formed a tiny bond over Zanzibar chocolate from the Chocolate Shoppe. To that bond we added bands of strength, tempered by happiness and sorrow. On the day of her graduation, the bond is unbreakable. I'm grateful when given the chance to care for a precious being, I was able to be the man in Emma's life when she most needed a dad. I never attempted to replace her dad. In fact, I made sure he was remembered and honored.  Emma's not my daughter. She's  forever my girl.

Nurtured the tree person grew tall and strong. So did the girl person. Love having cared for these gifts from God.