The Tiny Flower

Enjoy this personal and significant “Little Things” story I wrote about in my book Miracles happened when visiting the Redwood Forest.

Early in December we held a family dinner to discuss what each of our three children would like for Christmas. Our son Matt, then a fourth grader, wasted no time and declared “We should do something different this year instead of just buying “stuff,” as he called it. “We should “do” something meaningful, that we will always remember.” His older siblings had serious reservations about this idea since they had already planned on or hoped for certain presents that would be under the tree.

My husband brought order to the discussion, asking if Matt had something in mind. He did! In his mind the bottom line was that each of them should share an experience with Mom and Dad: a trip. Both my husband and I glanced at each other with a silent “Ah ha,” acknowledging between us “That’s what this was all about.”  A wink from my husband and a confirming smile from me clearly stated “We got it!”  With that understanding my husband then asked, “Matt, what would you like to do?”  “Oh, I don’t know really.” Cedric and I knew full well that he would have already researched and thought through how he would present his case. Matt then  responded as though he was pondering an idea, even though knowing full well exactly what he wanted to do.

“Maybe we should go to the Redwood Forest, or you know, something that I’ve never done before” he was saying as though the thought had just occurred to him. I had to cover my mouth so as not to reveal my smile and not burst out laughing.

Cedric was a pro at dodging the bullet, knowing the response that would come from our teenagers. He said “I see,” and right on que he then turned to me asking, “What do you think?”  “It could be a fun trip, driving up the coast; I’m sure there are a lot of places along the way that would be interesting” I said. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed our two teenagers (sister Erica and brother Bret) rolling their eyes, expressing their silent thoughts: “What a dumb, boring  idea.” They said nothing, not wanting to put down their little brother. I knew that would come later.

Christmas wishes were honored. Matt opened a box filled with written material on the Redwood Forest: The Avenue of the Giants, pamphlets, maps on the area, and a camera. He was ecstatic, a date was set, and a plan put into action.

We arrived before lunch, found our hotel, checked in, and we were off to our adventure. It was a special time for the three us; sharing our son’s excitement, watching and listening to him narrate our tour. Matt would rush ahead darting from tree to tree. Cedric was not far behind him.

I, on the other hand, I stood still under the canopy of the trees looking up, overwhelmed by what I was trying to take in. “Magnificent” was the only word I could say. Yet, it didn’t begin to express the feeling I held in my heart and spirit standing in this cathedral of nature that God  had made which was reaching up into the heavens. At the same time brilliant shafts of light were  piercing through the branches of these majestic giants. I was thanking the Lord for His creation when He whispered “Look down.” There screaming from the ground below the magnificent cathedral of redwoods was a tiny little orange flower no bigger than the end of my finger. “Oh my God, it is so beautiful. How could you have grown here and not been stepped on? The Lord again whispered, “This is my gift for you today so that you will always remember the importance of the “Little Things” It was a special, impactful moment for me.

Trust me, I do remember the lesson, but just in case there is always a touch of orange somewhere in my home. While the towering giants dominated the Christmas gift experience, for me it was the tiny orange flower that I always remember and that is my reminder of my special moment and God’s Gift of the “Little Things.”