Here is the world

The garden a crazy riot of colour, pink and cream oleanders tumbling over the garden wall from next door, tall blue agapanthus everywhere,  red, mauve, pink and  orangey pelargoniums in your face. A summer carnival. Made up a  large  Christmassy jar of  homebaked spicy ginger cookies. The old stove is on its last legs but the  cookies turned out fine.

The housemate insists  she is  better. I don’t think she is much better. I know  she wants very badly  to feel better. That will have to do for now.

News reports full of  suicides, violence, poverty, heartbreak. And occasional good news, wishes granted, children’s dreams fulfilled,  the hungry fed, justice meted out, promises kept.

What was it Frederick Buechner said?

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”

 

Oleanders