Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.

Today’s Friday Photo is in honor of when the fun began just over 12 years ago.  I think many parents dream of the time when their babies can participate in all the rituals of childhood – first steps, first words, birthday parties, Easter egg hunts, Christmas morning, and dressing up for Halloween.  For me, my September baby was easily disguised in a hot chili pepper costume, while his adoring sister became the least scary witch I’ve ever seen.  I’ve always thought it was interesting to see what people choose for their own Halloween costumes, let alone how they dress up their houses, pets, and children!  Did my early intervention of my son’s costume predetermine his adoration of habanero salsa? 

All these years later, Halloween has changed in our house.  We still have the decorations, the pumpkin carving (much more elaborate than ever, thanks to the children’s talents), and they will both still go trick or treating.  What’s changed, however, is that I have little to no say over their costumes. Both kids have strong ideas of what they will or won’t wear, and my advice is not given much weight.  But when I really think about it, isn’t that what it’s all about?  Trying on new personas, new styles, new masks, until we find the one that fits us best?  And if we’re really going to be authentic, it needs to come from within.  No one should tell us who we’re going to be.  Not even our parents.

What does your costume say about you this year?  Are you being your authentic you?

At this time of year, it’s all about the harvest.  Crops are ripe, summer gardens are being sowed and then tilled under in preparation for winter planting.  But my garden this year – not so good.  I tallied less than a dozen tomatoes, and four measley peppers.  And this wasn’t due to lack of effort or care-I tilled, composted, fertilized, watered, planted and tended my crops from last April til now.  I guess this just wasn’t the year.  Mother Nature didn’t cooperate – our cool northern California spring wasn’t the right temperature to set fruit.  Our usual one hundred degree plus summer heat never really materialized, leaving valley farmers shaking their heads and hoping for the best.  Me?  I keep my plants in, hoping that those green orbs will somehow ripen if I just have faith.

So today’s Friday Photo reminded me of what an abundant life I have.  No matter what happens to my own garden, I will have enough.  I have resources to get what I need.  It might not be directly from my own hands, but it will be fresh, healthy, available and enough to sustain me and my family.  In today’s photo my son marvels at the bounty we found in Ciudad Dario, Nicaragua.  Gorgeous produce can be had there for mere pennies-but to many Nicaraguans, pennies are like diamonds.  Produce is grown on your own land, and a luxury to purchase.  There are no ‘bulk buys’ or prepackaged warehouse size amounts.  People simply buy what they can, only what they need.

I enter this harvest season with a heart full of gratitude, and a faith that next year, my harvest will be that of my own making. What hopes do you have for the next year?  Will you have an abundant harvest?