A Mother's Day Gift - Nanette M. Holloway

Several years ago, my two industrious, creative boys needed a Mother’s Day present for me. My guess is that they were approximately nine and twelve. My husband suggested they make something and directed them to the scrap lumber and tools in the shop. When finished with homeschool assignments for the day, the boys disappeared for the afternoon after strict instructions for me to stay out of the garage. They emerged from the shop for snacks or dinner. Then Mother’s Day arrived. Proudly they showed me their skilled handicraft with the hammer nails and hand saw and their week-long project. The unveiling revealed a garden bench complete with a drawer and hooks for my tools. The rustic, rough bench remains a favorite gift from my talented boys. Now, some twenty years later, my husband moved it outside for me. He reinforced the bench all the way around with screws. Then added a well-placed 2x4 beneath the sagging drawer and a white knob for easy access of stored goodies. (Maybe my collection of seeds 😊). The height perfect to eliminate bending over. The garden bench beckons me to the great outdoors. But the weather is not cooperating. Here in Oklahoma, we have a rainy season in spring. The wait continues for a sunny day so I can plant all those seeds instead of adding to my collection.

When finished with homeschool assignments for the day, the boys disappeared for the afternoon after strict instructions for me to stay out of the garage. They emerged from the shop for snacks or dinner.

Then Mother’s Day arrived. Proudly they showed me their skilled handicraft with the hammer nails and hand saw and their week-long project. The unveiling revealed a garden bench complete with a drawer and hooks for my tools. The rustic, rough bench remains a favorite gift from my talented boys.

Now, some twenty years later, my husband moved it outside for me. He reinforced the bench all the way around with screws. Then added a well-placed 2×4 beneath the sagging drawer and a white knob for easy access of stored goodies. (Maybe my collection of seeds).

The height perfect to eliminate bending over.

The Garden Bench Beckons

The garden bench beckons me to the great outdoors. But the weather is not cooperating. Here in Oklahoma, we have a rainy season in spring. The wait continues for a sunny day so I can plant all those seeds instead of adding to my collection.

I’m ready for that sun to shine on my face and the garden too. Those recent picture-perfect spring days with warm temperatures were temporary. Now those new seed packets wait. The garden bench ready. The cold March winds return. Time to bundle back up and wait for longer warmer days.

Maybe it’s not too late to get some seed potatoes and plant them near March 17^th. I can use my garden bench to prep them for planting.

Just like all my gardener friends, I wait impatiently to till the ground and plant the vegetable patch.

An Irish Blessing

Just because it’s almost St Patrick’s Day

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Prayer for You Today

My friend,

may God bless you in this season as cold temperatures linger. I pray that He would be faithful in providing rain in due season. May drought be replaced with ample (just right) moisture, in the coming spring season. And may the garden of your heart flourish in His care. Amen.