July 28th, 2026

Whenever Ma had a spare moment, she would kneel down to pull out weeds. Our garden, with an abundance of flowers, was a gardener’s delight. From time to time a hired hand appeared from the village to do the heavier stuff but the daily work of maintaining the garden was Ma’s domain. I watched, watered when necessary, enjoyed the heady fragrance of the lovely flowers, and more or less stayed at a safe distance. I disliked dirt under my fingernails. Couldn’t stand to get pricked by thorns. Had a real fear of creepy crawlies, even if they were only snails or earthworms who were trying to run from us.
So, what happened to that faint of heart?
Haven’t the faintest clue except that now I revel in gardening. No outside help here. Just hubby and I - We haul bags of soil and manure; trundle a wheelbarrow filled with weeds to dump into the recycling bins; use a three-pronged instrument to rake and aerate the soil; heave watering cans.
Only today hubby remarked that I seem blissful while weeding. Ma’s image comes up as I sit and weed. No longer scared of creepy crawlies am I. Once an earthworm crawled out of its nice, moist home. I had disturbed the poor fella. I caught myself apologizing to it. Weird, eh?  
You see, we can change over time. I like to imagine we humans are made of fire and water and that other thing called wonder.
Fire of enthusiasm. Flowing Water of energy. And Wonder? Life is a wonder.
So, if I dig and find little creatures in the loose soil, instead of recoiling in disgust I let them be while carrying on with my work.
And, dirt under my fingernails? Nah, doesn’t concern me anymore.