Written by Tina Kramer
Memory 1996
Our training in Brooklyn is coming to a close, and I suggest that we go for a walk. It is our first walk as a couple, and we are discussing our friendship and the possibility that it might flower into a deeper relationship.
On our way to the bay, I share with Sean about my previous dating experiences.
“Other boys have said that I am too silly,” I admit with a sense of shame.
Sean looks shocked and exclaims, “I like your silly side!”
A surge of joy pulsates through my body. Can it be that this handsome man likes my silly side-that part of me that I’ve often felt embarrassed about?
Soon we notice a man working in his yard. On the border of his yard is a vibrant hydrangea bush bursting with bright blue blossoms. Sean and I stop to chat, and I enthusiastically comment on the man’s flowers. Without a moment’s hesitation, he cuts a bouquet and hands them to me. We thank the kind gardener and continue on our walk. A smile spreads across my face as we continue on our journey. Can you see us walking down the sidewalk together, me with a fresh bouquet of flowers and Sean by my side?
We pass another couple who are in the midst of an argument. When the woman sees me with my bouquet of flowers, she yells, “See, she gets flowers. How come I don’t get flowers?” I divide my bouquet in half and share my flowers with her. She receives my gift with pleasure. (I wonder if that couple stayed together and still live in Brooklyn?)
We meander through the city at a slow pace, savoring this delightful moment. Once we reach the water, I have a sudden impulse. With carefree abandonment, I throw my bouquet into the bay and watch it drift up and down on the rippling waves.
Again, Sean is shocked. The perplexed look in his eyes ask the question, “Why did you do that?”
“I like to watch the flowers float in the water,” I reply with childlike innocence.
Standing side-by-side, we quietly watch the hydrangeas float away.
Scripture
“My beloved spoke and said to me,
‘Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, come with me.
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.'” (NIV Song of Solomon 2: 10-12)
Reflection
Look at the first picture of the hydrangeas at the top of the blog. What do you see? I notice that at the bottom of the picture is a brown leaf. I am tempted to crop the picture so that the photo is perfect, but instead I see a meaningful object lesson. There is much beauty all around me, but sometimes my eyes only see the flaws- flaws in myself, flaws in my marriage, flaws in my family. But what if I look at the bigger picture? Of course there are flaws; I am a broken person who lives in a broken world. Yet, in spite of the flaws, God has blessed my life with many beautiful gifts. What will I choose to focus on, flaws or beauty?
Prayer
Father God,
Thank you for bringing Sean into my life. Who would have thought that a surfer from California would meet a farm girl from Pennsylvania in Brooklyn, New York? God, You are full of surprises! Every day there are gifts of joy you tuck away in unexpected parts of our day. You wait with bated breath, looking forward to when we will discover your gift and open it with eyes of wonder. Yet so often we are too busy to see your treasures of joy and rush on with our to-do list. Give us eyes to see. Give us ears to hear. Help us to slow down and savor the sunshine or look up and behold the splendor of your creation painted in the colors of the evening sky. You are an amazing artist, and I stand in awe of You!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Photos by Tina Kramer
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