It would be so easy to write today about the cold…..but I won’t. Instead I will tell you about the blessings of my weekend. On Saturday I spent time at the Como Park Conservatory…..what a needed break of humidity and color in these frigid days. I highly recommend it. The minute you walk in you are assaulted by moisture, your skin remembers and thanks you by instantly feeling softer, younger. The colors of the spring flowers…yellow, hot and pale pink, lavender,peach ….and the scent of the lilies provide a reminder of things to come.

Walking in the room with fig trees and orchids, I saw a starfruit hanging gingerly near the top of a tree. The orchids, some fragile and gentle, others bold and bright in their color, their intricate form. Looking at them, I marveled at their existence. How could such a beautiful and amazing sight exist in a world that often seems cold and unwelcoming? For me, it is the certainty of a Source much greater than my imagination that brings such beauty into the world. I experienced the blessing of these blooms, which were tagged to show their once-a-year blooming-all in January or February no less! What a blessing!

But as I stood gazing up at a huge tree, reaching to the very top of the conservatory ceiling, a man I’d noticed earlier came near. I had observed him sitting among the ferns, robed, reading the Koran. His peaceful countenance drew my attention. Children were flying by, others spoke loudly around him, but he remained calm, centered, prayerful. Now, as I stood looking skyward, he stopped and asked if he might pass by me. I was for some reason stunned by this act of simple  graciousness. As I said yes, he looked straight into my eyes and said "God bless you."  I  returned the words.

In the cold of winter, blessings come to us….in the beauty of a flower, the scent of summers to come, the healing humidity and the gentle blessing of a stranger, offering a connection with the Divine.

"What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being. To feed the hungry. To help the afflicted. To lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful. To remove the wrongs of the injured. That person is the most beloved of God who does most good to God’s creatures." The Prophet Muhammed