One Little Acorn
One little acorn can grow into a strong oak that may live 100 to 300 years, depending on the variety. We’ve all heard the analogy of the tiny acorn that becomes a great oak… to believe in yourself or be the difference and see how much it changes those around you. The proverb “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow” is found in Geoffrey Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde from 1374, and acorns have been considered luck charms over the ages, providing hope, prosperity or healing. One little acorn has also been used symbolically for new beginnings…
I also love the look of acorns; how cute they are with their Divinely “knitted” caps covering their tender top. There is something so satisfying about the caps intricate design and how they sit on the top of the acorn. They remind me of small sweet creatures snuggled up warmly. So then, to see an acorn without their cap, I am dismayed for their stark appearance. I find I want to gather them all together with glue gun in hand and mend them all (ok, maybe a little crazy, but still…ha ha). Poor things…
Recently, with the pandemic, my husband asked that I join him on walks in the mornings I work from home (another benefit from this crazy time). We live in one of the historical neighborhoods with homes ranging from 60 to over 100 years old, and our street tree is Oak. With the age of our neighborhood, the oaks are grand trees, mostly 30+ feet high and bowing together into the street (one of the reason’s we bought our home here). As we walk along, I find myself searching the ground for acorns with their cap still on, picking up them up and placing them in my pocket. When I get home, I put them on my fireplace mantel to add to my fall décor. Finding them in tact is normally a rarity because the distance they fall; and typically falling on the sidewalk causes them to lose their caps (sad sigh), as well as lots of squirrels and tidy gardeners that keep up their yards.
However, since our recent Santa Ana windstorm, they are much more prolific, and I cannot help but reach down and scoop up nearly every single one I see (yes, it does slow down the walk). Now that my collection of acorns are more plentiful, I needed a bowl to keep them in.
Looking at this bowl on my mantel, nearly full of adorable acorns, I realize it means so much more to me. This bowl represents all the time with my husband (and Toby – our rescue pup); time we have chosen to be together that would not normally have occurred had I been going into the office every day.
But it also represents all the little things in our lives that grow into so much more. Are we allowing little harsh words to grow into big issues… or are we being intentional with little kindnesses that can blossom into bigger blessings in our relationships? Life has changed so much during this pandemic, and our time together as a family has been at an all-time high. That, in its self is a blessing, that I hope grows bonds into additional blessings that make for a mighty oak in our marriage.
I am also planting little acorns with my new Stampin’ Up! business, hoping to have long-term success that will supplement my retirement in the not too distant future. I want a nice big sturdy business that will help my family weather the storms of the future, but also to continue to provide me with the creative outlet that is so paramount to my peace and joy.
What is your acorn?
