A Stroll Through the Neighborhood.

I stopped in my tracks 

and looked down in amazement.

The little strip of grass

between the sidewalk and street

of this lush, tropical neighborhood

was abuzz with honey bee's

soaking in the nectar 

of the tiny little white flowers

that blossomed throughout.

I squatted down 

to get closer to their level

and watched them 

for several moments.

The young lady beside me

cautioned my humorously

not to touch them.

I remarked how it was a beautiful thing

to see so many honey bee's

in one place.

I told her of my last couple years

not seeing hardly any of them.

We hypothesized of the use of pesticides 

and the genetic enhanced seed crops

grown these days 

and their effect on bee's.

This jaunt together down the road

had me loving the warm air,

the sunshine on my skin

and being in nature

without the feeling 

I had to be somewhere

or do something.

This sweet friend and I

had gotten to the end of the road 

and turned to go back

to our church family Christmas party

and worship leaders farewell.

The magenta flower petals 

from the tree across the street

had blown into our path

and I reached down to finger them

and admire their color

and the fact that three petals

were attached together 

that reminded me of the trinity -

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

My friend laughed at me 

and smacked the petals from my hand

and I, with mock chagrin,

scolded her for messing 

with my trinity moment.

I spotted an interesting looking seed

and reached down to pick it up

and explore it's uniqueness

with my eyes.

My friend stuck out her foot

and covered it so that I couldn't.

I like to touch things in my world.

And my friend was very cautious for me.

She mentioned several times

that I wasn't in Indiana.

This is Florida.

And in Florida, you just shouldn't 

touch stuff because it could be

poisonous.

She especially cautioned me

about snakes.

I appreciated her concern for me.

I told her that in Indiana,

most snakes are gardener snakes

and not poisonous.

And although I love trying

to pick up snakes,

I promised that I would not

do that here in South Florida.

There are moments

that seem to bring 

"life back into your body",

so to speak.

This walk with a friend did just that

for me.

And I thank God for that!