Embracing Abundance: Harvest

Posted on October 18, 2011 by

Today’s post comes from a friend of mine, G.G. Vandagriff.  She is the award-winning author of twelve books.  She would love for you to visit and subscribe to her interactive blog for readers, authors, and prospective authors: http://ggvandagriff.com/blog.  It is embedded in her website, http://ggvandagriff.com. Enjoy!  Divertitevi!

Tuscan Countryside
I love this time of year when the nights are drawing in, fruit stands dot the streets with fresh corn, melon, peaches, pears, apples, and tomatoes.  This year, I feel especially grateful because I have been so richly blessed.  That is not just a throwaway line, it is a true expression of gratitude.  From now until the end of the year, I will do a “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” account of the specific blessings I embrace as my “abundance.”  This is a good year to do that, because our particular circumstances have been such that I have not been able to fill my bucket with material things.

Where to start?  Perhaps at the beginning of the year when I dashed off to Italy and felt guided every day into those experiences that led me to discover agape (Christ-like love).  I realized that because of a drop in my income this was likely to be my last trip for awhile, and wanted to embrace everything and take it home with me.  I did manage to do that.  For what makes Italy Italy, for me, is the overflowing love of the Italians.  And that I can feel in my heart each day.

Raised to be critical and wary, agape does not come easily to me.  That is why it is such a gift.  The only thing I can compare it to is emotional honey.  It was manifest by the stall-owner in the street market who made me a gift of a lovely turquoise ring “because you feel like you are part of my family.”  My B & B “mama” was continually showering me with care, feeding me lunch which was always pasta and leftovers from the night before, inviting me into her home for a family celebration, and going out in the rain on her motorscooter to buy me a ticket to the opera.  One day I bought a gorgeous cake from Robiglio’s and Elisabetta (my mama) and Adriana (her future  daughter-in-law, therefore my sister) and I sat down in the middle of the day and carved up this treat and laughed together as we ate it.  With Elisabetta, it is always time for love and laughter.
Duomo
I opened up like a tightly closed bud, and my writing opened up at the same time, as my “crazy lady” heroines revealed their secrets to me, and flowing from my surroundings, agape entered my book and became the balm that soothed their worries, setting them on the right path—for agape is, I realized, The Only Way to Paradise.
We know this virtue as charity, and didn’t Paul say, “though I give my body to be burned and have not charity it availeth me nothing.”?  That scripture was incomprehensible to me, until I felt charity or agape from people to whom it is a way of life.  Now, I see that this love is the great abundance.  This is what we strive for and what we receive when we are in need.
So when I think of “embracing abundance” my arms grow long and I gather to myself all those wonderful Italians who showed me how to love people outside my family with simple, everyday acts.
G. G. Vandagriff
This blog is an attempt by me to add love to the lives of all my readers.  I gain nothing from it.  It is a free gift from me to you, and will hopefully enrich your lives.

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Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Comments: 7

  • Good luck

    June 28, 2018

    Embracing abundant harvest is a crucial thing. And thanks to this article. I have really learnt a lot

    Reply
  • Michael Ann

    October 21, 2011

    This was lovely. I have always felt this feeling of “agape,” even as a child, but I didn’t know there is a word for it 😉 Not until I was an adult did I realize not everyone feels this way. Some call me naive and yes, I suppose my trust in people has gotten me into some trouble. I have had to become more wary, which saddens me. But I still harbor that agape feeling deep down and I hope it never goes away. I really loved this, thank you!

    Reply
  • mamawolfe

    October 18, 2011

    Hi G.G.~ Thank you! It has been fun working with you.
    Hi Desiree~ You’re welcome. G.G. is a lovely writer!

    Reply
  • Desiree

    October 18, 2011

    What a beautifully written piece! Thank you for sharing these simple, heartfelt pleasures with us and for allowing us to feel a little of the warming balm that is Italy.

    Reply
  • G.G. Vandagriff

    October 18, 2011

    Thanks, Jennifer! Your blog is certainly more classy than mine. One day I will grow up and be like you!!

    Reply
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