What?!?! A pile of dirt for a Valentine’s day gift?
You’re kidding, right?!?!?
My sister Rose Mary stopped by to give me a packet of seeds she had harvested for me from her yard. They were in Waco for a Baylor basketball game and were doing a “drive-by” our place on their way. As she got out the driver’s side, she had to go around my fresh mountain of “gobble dirt” (turkey poop compost). As she approached me, she threw a comment over her shoulder towards her husband sitting downwind with the windows tightly rolled up.
Gesturing towards the aromatic pile she quipped, “Hey Arnie, that’s what I want for Valentine’s day!” We both doubled up laughing, threw our arms around each other in greeting, and exchanged seeds. We share so much, and one of those mutual joys is gardening.
Gift giving is an art. Really fine gifts are ones that are thought-through with the receiver in mind. The smelly mountain of soil wasn’t Arnie’s idea of a good gift, but it sure was Rosie’s and mine!
However, that pile of enriched soil wasn’t my only Valentine’s gift. My sweet husband Tim prepared supper, had a large bouquet of an assortment of flowers soaking in the sink, a card, and a fruit and nut Cadbury chocolate bar. He knows me well and loves to spoil me!
BTW, I can’t wait to get out and play in the dirt tomorrow!
Are you a thoughtful giver?
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will you give him a stone?