What Zinnias Taught Me
In a garden bed overflowing with zinnias,
in the final days of summer and early days of fall,
I see flowers sending forth buds of possibility.
I see continued growth.
Courage to keep putting forth new buds.
Uninhibited energy.
I see blooming and preparing to bloom,
not because it is reasonable or easy.
But because that is the design.
I want to live like a garden of zinnias.
Unafraid to expand and grow.
Bursting forth with color and hope.
Unafraid of the future.
The winter does not destroy this life
but helps to bring it back to the soil.
To re-emerge brand new, when the warmth returns.
It feels easier to be alive when there are zinnias nearby.
Even when they are gone,
I will remember the beauty of their lessons.