I didn't know who this blessing was for when I made it, and was actually surprised when it found the recipient. It began with the quote by Anais Nin about risking. To go with the quote, I looked for an image of a bud about to open, and found the branch in an old botany book I found at the Good Will by the pound. In reading the fine print later, I saw that the original bud had died from the cold and another axillary bud supplied its place forming the new branch and the buds shown. The person I gave this to said it represented a changing in relationships, and the courage to go in a new direction. Before I showed the person the blessing I asked what the color of certainty was. The answer was sky blue for the clarity seen on a sunny day. The blessing also included a favorite flower, a question about freedom, love, home, and thriving in life. I doubted before I gave it, but it was the right fit. It just shows it must be a God thing. I could never figure it out. Revisiting this reminds me to be more fervent in my prayer of "Lord, make me a blessing."

copyright Valerie Sjodin 2011