new leaves   

last light  of the day 

green, now

the joy of looking down

There are some places we walk, knowing 

we're on borrowed time. 

Planting a Kiss

When my friend, Sherry, asked if I would participate in “Plant a Kiss Day,” the first question that came to my mind (thinking about posting my story here at Counting Petals) was, "How can I encourage one's sense of connection with the natural world through this 'planting a kiss' exercise?"

Ideas began to swirl.

Ways of sharing quotes, books, letters, pressed flowers, stamps featuring various ecosystems--even dreaming of giving away a ball I treasure from a sweet gum tree--kept me from sleep.

For April 29^th, I wanted to do something big. Important. Creative. But nothing I could think of felt good enough. Bold enough. Big enough, especially to blog about.

I began focusing on who would receive these gifts. Friends, or strangers (my yet to be friends?)?  I began debating where I would leave these things if they were meant to be found. Benches? Lean-to’s? Café tables? Slipped into friends’ backpacks?

I thought of poems. I thought of love. I thought about the relationship between hope and surprise (how the things we least expect to receive are those which most renew us).

I thought about a particular friend who said to me one time, Go. Introduce yourself.  He was suggesting I meet the natural world eye to eye.

I thought of the field guides I have of his, how maybe they’re ready to be passed on again. Maybe they want to go camping again, get rolled in the dirt again, soak in the wood smoke again. Ripple with air-full-of-rain again.

Maybe they want to have dimples. I’ve always liked dimples, especially the smile-kind.

I smiled. What if I don’t tell anyone what I’ve “planted” today?

Yes, I think that’s the best way! There’s no right or wrong. There’s no too little, too small. Even a thought. A recognition. A brief meditation about someone else, is a planting.

That is the way love grows, I reminded myself. That is the way love grows.

I tucked a letter and poem inside a book. I wrapped stones in bubble wrap. I carefully collected shells and tucked them into soft pouches; I know one day I will pass them out. But for this day, this April 29, 2012, the little things I've offered and their destinations are not the details I plan to talk about. I hope you understand... sometimes a secret between two people is what makes a gift a treasure. 

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In the spirit of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's work, 16 inspiring and creative bloggers set out to "Plant a Kiss" in the world on Sunday, April 29. We each did something we thought would spread a little extra joy, color, connection, poetry, or magic in the world. Then we watched to see what would happen! Today each of us is posting about that experience. Click here to visit the main Plant a Kiss page, where you can easily link to all participating bloggers. For every blog that you visit and comment on, your name will be tossed into a hat for a chance to win one of many amazing prizes such as online writing, photography, or dream-building classes; coaching sessions; artwork, or jewelry.

Plant a Kiss Day was created to celebrate the message and spirit behind Amy Krouse Rosenthal's work and the whimsical book she created, "Plant a Kiss," which is beautifully illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. "In this gentle tale about hope, kindness, and sharing, see how one small acts blooms into something grander than anyone ever could have imagined." Plant a Kiss is not just for kids; it's the little bit of magic and hope we all long for, no matter our age. 

Just before sunset, something in the woods

sings. Something else, goes quiet. 

Plant A Kiss Day -- April 29th

On April 29th, several of my friends and friends of those friends, are "planting a kiss" in the spirit of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's new book, Plant a Kiss. 

Kelley, at one january day, wrote a great post summarizing our project. 

I want to welcome anyone who feels inspired, to join us as we plant little seeds of joy this weekend. Do something small & full of love on Sunday, April 29th. Then, on May 1, tell us about that "kiss" you planted. :) I'll be doing the same. 

The Fine Print: The photos included in this post are from April 19, 2012, when two of my dear friends, as a surprise, decorated my porch with poems, flowers, and personal cards that were written and/or created by several of our friends in celebration of my birthday. It was the most amazing gift I've ever received--and is very much in the spirit of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's book, Plant a Kiss (but we didn't know about her book yet).