Dear Reader Column -- May 28, 2021

Dear Reader,

In the back of my house, alongside the steps going out to the patio, there's a little shaded patch of dirt where for years nothing would grow. I experimented with different plants, but it didn't matter what I put in the ground there was always a 3-foot bald spot. It was like there was an invisible line. Plant flowers on one side of the line, and they'd take root and flourish. Plant those same flowers on the other side of the 'line' and they'd die every single time. Finally I got so frustrated with the area I just ignored it and stopped trying to plant anything there.

But then one day I noticed a plant starting to grow on the barren side of the line. I didn't know what kind of plant it was, or how it got there, but without any assistance from me, it soon reproduced and filled-in the entire empty space--looking like it was meant to be. And now it's put out the Welcome mat and three other types of plants have made themselves at home, too.

I'm the kind of person who likes to fix a problem right away. I'm easily frustrated when I can't think of an instant solution. But sitting here, admiring the formerly barren area where nothing would grow, but now it's filled with gorgeous yellow flowers, maybe sometimes I need to just sit back and let things happen naturally. Quit trying to intervene and let whatever is going to happen, happen. Yes, I've learned from the plants, that sometimes things can work out just fine--in their own time.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

* If you like to send birthday cards, today's the last day to enter my giveaway for a pack of assorted birthday cards.

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This month's Penguin Classics book is THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE, by Gloria Naylor. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win

Comments

[Mary Boever]

Happy belated birthday Suzanne!!