You may wish your neighbor didn't have a yard full of gnomes or that bird bath front and center or the crooked, forgotten pink flamingo next to the bushes. When I'm driving in or out of my neighborhood I sometimes think "that's cute" or "that's tacky" or did they really just paint their house honeydew green next to a sage green house (but I digress)? Sometimes, those little yard fellas bring us joy. The statues mentioned above or say a St. Francis statue adorning your garden, a fairy, a cross or a little guy fishing.
Below is a rabbit that use to belong to our friends who moved to Canada. Once when they were visiting, I pointed out their old rabbit. How sweet it looks nestled under the trees. When they moved they also gave us some of their plants and I desperately hoped they wouldn't notice the plants didn't make it. But their rabbit did! Thank God it's a statue! Yep, that little statue made us chuckle and makes me smile when I see it lying there so peacefully, not a care in the world.
We moved into our new home almost a year ago. It has a beautiful front and back yard and had several yard ornaments that contributed to the charm that drew me to this house. But the former owners took those heavy babies all the way to Wisconsin. All but one! The Roman lady with her flowing gown near the swing. I think I know why they left her. Um, okay, maybe she's a little tacky. But I'm not ready to part with her quite yet.
Something about her makes me smile too. She seems to be claiming her territory.
BUT, the main reason I had to write this blog is to to share with you the ultimate of yard statues. It wouldn't be fair to keep it all to myself (okay and the other folks driving by). Two to three times a week I drive a half an hour from Roswell to Canton for water therapy. Most days I want to go but there are times when I don't. I may be having a bad morning and just want to stay in bed. But I begrudgingly get in the van and start the long trek. I may be distracted by my thoughts or by a morning radio show. I may be singing along to a song or fantasizing about what I want to say to that person who wronged me. I may be deep in prayer or in conversation with God. I may even be crying out of frustration or from feelings of inadequacy or falling into the "why me" dance in my head. No matter, happy or sad, distracted or attentive, these yard statues bring me back home and remind me to smile. In fact, it's become a rule! I can't drive by them without smiling. Yep, there they stand. Three large cows grazing by this fenced in pond. For the longest time I thought they were real. When I realized they were fake, I had to pull over to make sure. I mean really, who puts fake cows in their yard? How can you not smile? I love those cows. They're always there to greet me on my drive to the therapeutic pool in the country.
That property happens to be for sale. I sure hope it's a package deal and the cows are included!
Each smile brings a little bit of healing. I'm pretty sure smiles in the midst of distractions or sadness or trials bring even greater healing.
What are some little things that make you smile? Embrace them!
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