A Little Love and Attention

A few months ago, my husband transplanted this hedgehog cactus into our backyard after he found it disturbed from trail building behind our house. I wasn’t sure that it was going to make it but sure enough, it’s erupted into the most beautiful blooms.

This past week I had the privilege of guiding a group of students in an intro to nature journaling class. The students are a part of an immersive summer program aimed at exposing them to new opportunities and experiences they don’t get at home. I was so impressed with their willingness to jump in, unbothered by a lack of experience. They created art, had fun, and hopefully took some new found skills away with them. I will carry with me for a long time to come the smile of one student as she turned away, excited to go find something else to explore and paint.

In a lot of ways, this little cactus reminds me of these students. They don’t need much, just a bit of care and attention from well-meaning individuals and then stand back, and watch them bloom.