KRISTEN'S PEOPLE

Yes, I have been tempted to write about my own outrage at everything that is going on socially, economically, politically. But what it comes down finally, is that we are finally motivated-right or wrong. In a lot of cases we are angry at the wrong people or entities, but we feel helpless and are fighting for some sort of control. Enough said. Which brings me to the life-affirming issues and the cycles that we engage in and embrace.

Every year around our house it is not Spring until Kristen's people appear. These are those wooden figures that you see around people's homes that range from chickens, to slinking cats, bent-over ladies showing more than they should, etc. Ours came from Great-Grandpa to Kristen. The dutch boy and girl who Kristen would always place facing each other, though her father would toy with her observation skills by posing them in odd positions. She would always put them back where they belonged-face to face looking lovingly into each other's eyes. She's a romantic.

There's also the rabbit with the hoe whom old Farmer McGregor would have appreciated. A bunny who toils rather than steals. My Dad picked up a bb gun we kept by the patio door one day (to pop ground moles-LOL) and starting taking shots at Kristen's people. He remarked that he thought that was so accommodating that we supplied targets! NOOOOO. Ah well Kristen's people survived the onslaught. I put balloons out for him to shoot. (Note to self: bb guns are not that freakin' accurate).

Every Spring they come out and every Fall they go back into their dark little space in the shed. As inevitable as daylight, as comforting as a Mother's hand. Seasons progress regardless of the human turmoil that persists.

However this year Kristen, who has long since moved away and is busily creating her own family, her own cycles and traditions, found a little gift planted at her house while she and her husband were away. A whole new set of Kristen's people waiting amidst the bushes and flowers in her little garden spot. A hunting cat, red birds and of course, two little wooden people looking lovingly into each other's eyes. May they herald Spring at my beloved daughter's house as they always have at ours.