An Exercise in Patience

My favorite definition of patience is "to wait with kindness." Patience is a trait that I have been consciously working on for many years now. I was not born a laid-back being. I'm a little bit high-strung, quick to be nervous, and quick to feel overwhelmed. The positive spin to my personality is that I'm a go-getter, I am very thorough, and headstrong. But the phrases, "Let it be," "Whatever," and "Que sera, sera" do not come naturally to me! And now we are experiencing the schizophrenic weather of spring in Wisconsin. What a tease! Some days are warm, some are cold, some are sunny, some have snow...sheesh. It's enough to send a gardener into a padded room with a cozy jacket (Hey, where are my arms?) And so for the first time, in order to get my hands a little dirty I have decided to foray into starting my plants from seed. Excitedly I bought the seeds. On a warmer, sunny day a couple of weeks back I broke out the stuff and planted a few of them. Here's what I've planted so far:

• Sungold Cherry Tomato
• Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato
• Parlsey
• Crimson Red Pepper
• Orange Bell Pepper
• Yellow Bell Pepper
• Calendula Flower
• Habanero Pepper

And so far...it's been EXCRUTIATING!! I checked every day for something, anything. Then last week the first tomato plants emerged, and yesterday the parsley popped a little green sprout. But no sign from the other seeds. And so I'm back to waiting. I'm back to practicing patience. How wonderful then, to look at my kids and see how far I've really come in regards to practicing patience. They test me every day. From the milk that spills on my newly-mopped floor, the butt that needs a new diaper right before we're headed out the door, the whining that occurs when they just don't realize how tired they are, the thousandth time that I've watched The Land Before Time, to the millionth time that I've heard, "Mom do you want to hear a story?" and the 30 minute-intensely-detailed masterpiece that follows and requires my whole attention. Oh how they test me! Sometimes I just want Manny to rush through that story, I want Adrian to just hold out for 2 more minutes before I can cuddle him, I want to not trip over the same toy over and over again that seems to be purposefully placed before me no matter how many times I put it away. I want 5 minutes to go by where I can get lost in my thoughts and not be interrupted with "MAMA!!!!" All of these events try my patience. But lo and behold the reward. The patience that I practice with them translates to two caring boys. Most days when Adrian cries, Manny will come over and sweetly say, "Hey little guy. You're alright." while he gently strokes Adrian's face and gives him a hug. This evening at dinner Manny threw a tantrum because we didn't pour his water first. (He was very tired) What do I see? Adrian patiently walks over to Manny and rubs his arm and then hugs him! The little brother comforting his older brother that is hurting, just as Manny always comforts him. Such joy lives in my heart! Speaking of the boys, since I don't have any real interesting pictures to post yet of my little plants, I thought I'd post some recent videos of my boys for your enjoyment! But back to gardening. These spring days are hard when you look out the window and see snow. And it's frustrating to hear the weatherman predict cooler weather. And it's difficult to stare at empty pots day after day. But I have faith that these little seeds that I've planted will soon grow tall and bountiful and bring me such delight...if I'm patient.