I started out for my morning walk; this time trekking thru a freshly harvested soybean field. The day was cloudy and crisp. Shivering in the breeze, I made my way carefully thru stubble laying randomly after the slaughter of a huge combine that had gathered only the crop of beans, leaving the rest to lie desolate and barren. Suddenly looking down to secure my footing from the deep ridges that remained, I spied a beautiful flower blooming staunchly in the debris. Curiously, I looked further, wondering if there were others to brighten my path, but no, just this one blooming all alone. Pausing to marvel at its splendor, cloaked on all sides with dull brownish waste, I was suddenly renewed in spirit. This year had its own version of rubble and I had found myself in painful discouragement. But this little flower blooming so brightly sent a message of hope. If it could bloom brightly in the midst of rubble, perhaps I could too. Briskly, I made my way to the warmth of my fireplace to plan my day.