In a far corner of a zoo along, a long gravel road riddled with potholes, you find yourself at a few African bomas. They’re just simple, round buildings lined with sticks, but they keep the animals safe when not on exhibit. There’s five buildings in total–though you wouldn’t think them as such. Each has their own yard–or yards–for the animals, but it’s hard to see with all the overgrowth.
It’s that time of year–again–when all the plants come back. Bushes grow through fences. Trees drop their branches. The grass grows taller than the animals and the whole place looks like a swampy jungle. There used to a be a tree here and there, but a storm took them out–do be careful, though. There’s poison ivy all around.
It’s a lot of work to maintain. Trust me. I try. Yet, daily tasks come first. You want to know why? It’s because the animals are most important. Chores come second or third (or fourth). There’s not a lot of time in the day, and I have to make the most of it. Of course.
As overwhelming as springtime yardwork is. You want to see what I’m most proud of? I didn’t plant them. I don’t know where they came from, but there’s daisies all along these things. There’s a bunch by that boma, and along that fence. Even down in the stork yard–it doesn’t make sense.
Such beautiful flowers, growing in all this mess. Don’t touch. That one’s surrounded by poison ivy. Wouldn’t you guess? They make me smile for more reasons than one. I try to take care of them. Make sure they’re getting sun. They’re a bit sentimental for me, you know. I had a dog named Daisy and they’re my mom’s favorite things to grow.
Yet, despite sentimentality, I love the lesson. Such beauty is growing in these hard rock formations. Even when the bad things start piling up. Tangling your fences and blocking your view. There’s still a reason to hope, something to pick you up. Beauty grows in the midst of a mess. You just gotta see it. Do your best.
No matter the day or the never-ending tasks. I hope you find your daisies, hiding in the grass.
nikki diekemper 
A beautiful way to see things. 💜
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