Miracles

We purchased 2 citrus trees from Costco about 6 years ago. (Growing up in a neighborhood scattered with citrus trees, I longed to pick my own again.) I was so excited! . . . until Randy informed me they were dwarf trees. Boo! Disappointed is the key word here.

They were still pretty and green - just midgets. We built little planters around them though, to hold in needed water. The wind blew their weakling branches and leaves. If you listened real close, you could almost hear them rustling. They did love the sun. And a dry leaf was never to be found.

They were planted where our old, outgrown trampoline used to stand - in our back yard's prime space. Had we known we'd only be looking at 2 small bush/like plants, we might have left the tramp in. (We could have used the exercise!) And heaven knows we could have used some shade around here, but no.
So every day we were reminded of their "almost but not quite" state. After all, in Arizona, green is good.

Last December, a wondrous miracle happened. We noticed there were big yellow fruit clusters growing up and down the branches of one of the trees. Grapefruit! We couldn't believe our eyes. We left it hanging for the whole season, just to make sure those dwarfs drank in every last bit of nourishment. We took pictures in every angle, developed into 8 x 10 glossies to show our unbelieving friends.

This morning was a landmark day. I refrigerated one over night and crossed my shaking fingers as I cut it open for a taste. No words can describe the heavenly deliciousness! The beautiful pink color was also a bonus.

I have since looked upon the trees with admiration, recalling their previously small size and probable nonperformance. Because of the illegible tags hanging around their twigs when we purchased them, I did not see their majestic potential coming. But there they stand. Strong, scrawny trunks that proudly lift their branches to nearly 8 feet high.

Do miracles happen? Oh, yes!

I will be anxiously awaiting next years crop from the other orange tree. (We'll let it off the hook this year, since I'm sure it is purposely waiting for its own private performance.) If it grows avocados, I'll probably die!

A Keeper

When Gregg got home from his mission, it quickly became apparent there was a girl in his life that took up valuable space in his heart. I knew more of her than I actually knew her - meeting her only once on prom night a couple of years before. Her name was Rachael and she had been a long time "friend" of his. I liked her from the beginning. Any time someone favors your child, they get my vote. It shows they have good taste! And now, watching more than a friendship unfold, I could only be happy for them.
Rachael was here the night Gregg got home from his mission. She had rushed home from BYU for the Christmas break. While Gregg was adjusting to reality, Rachael was proving her priorities - the first of many to come:

When April conference came along, it was easy to include Rachael in the group. Aunt Janice treated us royally.

When we all drove to Nebraska for Emmie's blessing, easily there was a seat for Rachael. While Gregg took the wheel into the night for his shift of driving, Rachael sat in the passenger seat and talked and to him endlessly to keep him awake.

Macks Inn that year was fun, because we all got to know Rachael. At the cabin one evening, we talked about the fun times, and how it was sad to leave but we'd be all be back. Then we realized Rachael really wasn't officially Gregg's. Grandma Buehner said, "Well, she'll be back, won't she?" We crossed our fingers!

At one point I cornered Gregg (something mothers are known for - "cornering") and ask if he thought he could find anyone better than Rachael. His response was negative.

When she transferred to ASU to finish her schooling, I knew she was a keeper.

Though these few memories are from my perspective, Gregg and Rachael have their own continuous story to tell. Being married now for two years, it is a sweet story with lots of fun chapters to come!

Wednesday is Rachael's birthday. I am thankful for her everyday!