Think of the journey of a tiny wild seed blown about by spring's warm breath.  It finds a fertile resting place by no choice of its own and immediately goes to work.  The crust that served to keep it safe now cracks open in betrayal, exposing its living heart to the mercy of the elements.  It could be said that the seed then actually gives up its life and dies as the tender shoot pushes downward away from the protective casing ... Down into the darkness of the soil where it cannot be seen.  It becomes easy prey for the claw that digs, for the mouth that feeds, and for the foot that falls.  Still silently and secretly, it burrows deeper, pushing, straining into the thick darkness.  But there is more.  In gratitude, an upward quest begins toward the ultimate Source, the heat that warms and the light that feeds.  It does not rest, but continually reaches higher while pushing deeper into the  rich and abundant soil.  At any cost ... It grows stronger and matures,  lifting its flowered face in celebration.  And still the roots work and strive for more,  sometimes encouraged with warm caresses and cleansing showers, other times challenged by brutal pounding and merciless scorching.  Life is not always kind, but still it is rich.  The seed, fully grown into a flowering plant, stands beautifully, tall and strong, sheltering others as it endures whatever comes until another breeze sweeps by and lifts its ripened seeds away to where new Life begins. 

~ B