I have this maternal nature where I like to take care of people. Like, if you live in my town, I’ve probably invited you over for dinner.
I don’t even know how many times I’ve said something like this:
“Just stop by after work. I’ve got chicken in the Crock Pot.”
Or:
“Have you had real food recently? Let me fix you some veggies.”
Or:
“I’m doing a load of laundry. Got any towels you want to throw in?”
That last one is just for my roommates, by the way. I don’t ask my co-workers if they want me to wash their linens.
It’s in my nature, but I try not to mom my friends too much. That’s why, every now and then, I get this strong desire to get a pet.
Unfortunately, I can’t have a cat in my apartment. I know. Grieve with me.
I could have a fish, but those creep me out.
So I have plants.
(Does this sound pitiful? It’s not supposed to).
Anyway, a couple weekends ago, my sister and I went to this big plant nursery in Raleigh to add to our collections. They have outdoor plants and indoor plants, succulents and air plants, shrubs and bonsais.
They also have these miniature plants, which are, of course, our favorites.
On several occasions, my sister and I squealed, “LOOK AT ALL THE BABIES!!”
We are the people who call tiny ferns precious.
Walking around the plant nursery after a week of work in the office was so relaxing. Although we were in a greenhouse, we were in nature. We oohed and aahed over stunning hibiscus, ran our fingers through the foxtail ferns, smelled the organic herbs, and imagined how we could fit a fir tree on my sister’s front porch.
It was quiet, except for the occasional bird chirp or friendly employee greeting. We didn’t even mind the North Carolina humidity, because we were caught up in everything around us.
It made me wonder: When was the last time I stepped away from my routine and just enjoyed participating in life? When was the last time I went on an adventure after I clocked out in the afternoon, rather than collapse on my couch and scroll through Instagram? How often do I make a point of doing something without a specific point?
Because that time at the plant nursery? It felt like taking a deep, clean breath. Meandering through rows of annuals and orchids was somehow energizing. And the quality time with my sister was good, too.
So that’s my challenge for us this weekend: Let’s find something to do that doesn’t involve a lot of planning or cost a lot of money. Let’s do something that involves the beauty of creation and time with someone we dearly love.
Let’s do something that fills us up, rather than drains us. And, to really immerse ourselves in the experience, let’s not stop in the middle of it to post a picture of it online.
Let’s participate fully in this life we’re given.
P.S. In case you’re curious, here’s a slideshow of my mini plants and my newest additions: basil and parsley.
Anna Schaeffer's Blog 