pic of the day - out of the rubble

All around me I see examples of strength and perseverance. I see evidence of overcoming great odds to attain greatness. I see beauty, creativity, and vitality. I do not need to look to great athletes or figures of leadership to see this display. I do not have to watch the news to bear witness to such models. I only need to look in my own back yard. Dramatic I know, but I believe it to be true and thus it has great meaning to me. Behind my garage is a brick pad where my garbage cans live. Beyond that are stacks of firewood for my chimnea and bundles of branches to be used for kindling. I confess, there are also a great many weeds and I fear even more spiders and creepy crawlies. Most of all, there is also a patch of the loviest pink begonias. I did not plant these begonias. I've never even bought begonias. This is my fourth summer calling this house my home and it is the fourth summer the little pink beauties have offered their greetings. Now correct me if I'm wrong as I am certainly no green thumb guru, but I do not believe begonias are even perenial flowers, but rather are annuals that only live through one blooming year. These little buddies have survived at least four with absolutely zero horticultural nurturing, no food, no water other than rain, no soil preparation. They've fought their way through brick and weeds, they've grown despite 75+ days over 90 degrees this summer, dodged the weedeater, and they've withstood hurricane Bertie. They are surrounded by weeds, bugs, sticks, and the occasional stinky trash can. Yet they are fragile little pieces of gorgeous. I would be stretching it a bit if I said they didn't have their battle scars, but don't we all? They, like me, were fearfully and wonderfully made and each step, each struggle, each drop of rain all adds to the journey. They may have no other purpose but to bring me great joy and inspiration and they do so with passion. May I have such strength and perseverance. May I shine with the beauty, creativity, and vitality with which I was created. May I live and serve my purpose with passion.