I’m trying to be more present in life. You can live with someone, and still miss moments, if you allow the distractions of the world to suck you in.

My daughter started to collect succulents.

She has been studying about them for a while, so she knows what to do. I over water, and kills things, so I have deemed her in charge. She purchased some a month ago, and after further reading announced, “You are supposed to get them out of the original container as soon as possible!” She ordered potting soil from Bonsai Jack, and has been waiting all week for her dirt to arrive.

We laughed at how excited we were over a shipment of dirt. It was supposed to arrive yesterday, but it didn’t. I told her, “God is gonna come through! It will be here before you leave!”, and it was. First thing this morning she raced to the Post Office.

Once she got back home with her shipment, she drug everything needed onto the front porch. She had already purchased the planters she wanted to plant them in. This one fell on the way to her car, right after buying it. As you can see, it is now cracked, and the corners are chipped. I told her, “Use it anyway. It has character.”

This one grew tremendously after she bought it, and had babies! She separated it, and placed some in this hanging planter, for her room, and then gave some to me. I didn’t have a planter, but I had just washed a container that housed a candle. After the candle was thoroughly enjoyed, I thought the container was cute, and kept it.

I sat on the porch with her the entire time she was doing all this. She was trying to get it done, and still be on time to meet her Dad. We had one more that needed a pot, but it didn’t look right in the pot we had left. I told her to go get ready, and I’d figure something out.

They will need their first watering in a few days. I told her I was not touching them, so they’ll be thirsty when she gets home! She sees many things she wants to try, and it’s fun watching her learn. The entire process, of choosing the plants, the planters, and the dirt, brings me joy.

My daughter has this thing for the underdog. If you ask her to choose a puppy, or kitten out of a healthy, rambunctious litter, she will pick the shy, little runt every time.

Succulents are no different. Meet little Kumquat, and it’s the only one, that received a lace ribbon. This is how it is before she leaves. She will come home inspired to take on something else, and I’ll be ready to assist. Every time before she really leaves.