There have been many moments along this journey where I have been blown away by the love we receive from others.  There have been other times I have been blown away by the creative ways people have found to love us.  And especially now, I am blown away when people continue to be mindful of us, pouring out love even though all the drama is over and there has been significant passing of time.

A recent gift was a merging of all three…and it blew me away!

Some friends, whom I had actually never met before but have followed our journey, asked if they could meet me at our park for a playdate.  When they arrived with hugs and smiles for me, they also gifted me with a beautiful planter of “Jud’s Buds”.  I was incredibly touched by the gift, but moved even further by their thoughtfulness when they began to describe the reasoning for selecting each plant and its meaning.

Aloe: the healing plant.  “May your heart find peace through the healing power of God’s love.”

Thyme: symbolizes courage.

Bay Leaf: symbolizes victory; means to praise.  “In honor of Judson’s name meaning ‘worthy of praise’ and he has experienced true victory.”

Rosemary: stands for love, friendship, and remembrance.

Verbena: the earliest bloomer in it’s family; attractive to butterflies.

Judd Viburnum: “While the Israelites were in exile, God offered a vision of hope—all kinds of plants growing in the desert. (Isaiah 41:19)’

And that’s exactly what these friends did.  They offered me hope in my dessert, both by these tangible living and thriving plants and also by their unexpected love.

*Thank you Jenn, Nicole, and Misty.  I was so touched by the three of you!