I would have missed it.
In my single-minded way of rushing from one task to another around the house I would have walked right past.
“Linda!” my husband called me in from the back yard where I was watering the garden. “Come here and see this.”
I confess: I was annoyed at his call. I was busy after all; just home from work and wanting to get water on the garden before dinner. I sighed to myself, put the hose down, went into the house where he led me to the front door and outside.
“Look,” he said as he pointed to the ground beside the house. I thought, at first, that there was something wrong with my clematis. It had been doing so well this year and I felt my stomach clench at the thought of it having been damaged by insects or animals.
“What?” I couldn’t see any damage to the plant.
“Down there. Look.”
I bent down for a closer look and then I saw it. A tiny green frog, less than two inches long, tucked into the corner. Gerry had pointed out a similar frog sitting on a leaf of my zucchini plant a few days ago; I had tried to photograph it but it had hopped away before I could get the camera.
As you can see by the photograph at the top of this post I was successful in capturing the image of this tiny fellow.
“How did you ever see him there?” I asked Gerry as I lay on the ground, as close as could be to the frog, holding still as I could so I wouldn’t startle him.
I already knew the answer though. My husband doesn’t rush and hurry like I do much of the time. He takes his time–annoyingly so to me sometimes–he appreciates what is in front of him at the moment. It’s one of the things I loved about him first: the way he took the time to observe the stars, to appreciate the beauty of the moon’s phases, to experience every moment.
Later, as he reached his hand down to help me up after I had captured the photographs, I felt convicted. Slow down. I had been telling myself for months that I needed to slow down and enjoy the journey I was on instead of frantically trying to do to many things at one time.
With my hand in my husband’s as I stood up and brushed myself off I resolved once again to try slow down and live in the moment. I knew if I didn’t I’d miss simple gifts–the best gifts–like seeing a tiny green frog on a summer afternoon.
What an adorable tiny frog, so glad your husband spotted him and you were able to get a photo this time. And I love the message in this story, it’s one I need to take to heart, too! Thanks.
It’s a message I need to hear over and over again, it seems, Cathy.
Linda, This post stopped me in my tracks this AM and I’m glad. It is a powerful reminder to look around in the moment and appreciate the small gifts in each day. Thank you!
Hi Kathy, I’m glad you stopped by this morning. I’ve lost sight of the smallest, most precious, gifts a day can hold much too often.
Linda, I loved this post! Such a beautiful reminder and I really appreciated it. I have a tree frog that lives under the cushion of my Adirondack chair. I always have to do a “frog check”before sitting down. Would hate to squish the little fella. Then last week the little fella got himself a girlfriend. I take great delight in peeking under the cushion each morning to see them there.
FYI: I learned about your blog from my friend, Kathy Pooler)– I signed up for your RSS feed and can’t wait to read more of your posts.
Welcome Barbara! I’m so pleased you came by! What a delight to have a little froggy romance happening right before your eyes!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this lovely moment (and your new little friend’s portrait!)
He is a cutie, isn’t he?!
Dear Linda, several bloggers I read have written recently about living in the moment and being present to it. And each time I read that, I vow to myself that I’ll try. But most of the time my mind jumps on a bicycle and careens away to the past or the future. I try today to just as the writer said, “Stop and enjoy the daisies.” Thank you for the reminder. Peace.
Linda, this may be a few days old by now, but something I sorely needed to read. My husband is much like yours — enjoys the moment, patiently stepping through his day taking it all in. I, on the other hand, am usually multi-tasking (a subject touched on by many women) and that means I’m rushing from task to task. Your story of the tiny frog is compelling and like you, I need to commit to slowing down! Thanks for reminding me to enjoy life.