Indiana

Something about the aroma of fresh cut Hoosier grass with the scent of moisture contained within each blade of grass that allows memories to flood back to me like a steady flowing river. It reminds me of being outside playing so innocently as a child. Collecting the piles of freshly mowed grass so I could have "fences' for my plastic Bryer horses. Or to outline roads for hot wheels cars that my brothers and I would play in the dirt with. I would dream of the day when I would be allowed behind the wheel and be able to have the windows down with the wind blowing carelessly through my hair with the sun beaming beautifully all around.

I got to go see Grandma, and we went on a drive along the countryside, looking at the luscious greens that lit up so beautifully with the perfect reflections of the sun that illuminated God's love on each branch, leaf, flower, and hillside that it touched. To me, God's love is all around us. We sat on the back porch of my aunt's and caught up with family members, laughing and talking about life's perplexities.

I helped my grandma plant her flower boxes the other day, I left the gloves off so I could feel the dirt under my fingernails (something this germ-o-fobe never does), but it's being outside in the nature in Indiana that brings back so many memories that I can't resist. As soon as we moved onto the last flower box, it began to steadily sprinkle, and we laughed as we hurriedly finished the last box, and had gotten into a rhythm of knowing how we wanted the flowers arranged. The cool crisp air accompanied the raindrops. I rode home with a hoodie on, reminded of many past times, and the years that have gone, and where life has taken me. Yet some things are so similar and exactly how I remember them as a growing girl. 

I love waking up with the windows open, hearing the birds singing in the trees nearby, welcoming another cool, dew filled morning.  The sun peeks, showing it's smiling face, and showing it's glee on the upcoming flowers, ready to bloom. Maybe this all sounds a little cornball, but I realize how much I miss the simplicity of Indiana. I miss the nature that so beautifully surrounds Indiana's landscapes. God shows his love everyday in astronomical ways. People would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb to not see his hand so brilliantly shone through his works and wonders in this world that surrounds us! 

I think it's important to always go back to the basics and remember where we came from to better chart where were going.