I have grown flowers (and weeds) for years. It is a hobby and passion of mine. As I look at my garden from my screen porch, I think about how this garden might be used as a metaphor for describing my achievements, skills, abilities, strengths and ideas.
             As a child, my parents worried about me because I had an intense imagination and played school with many imaginary friends. As my mom and dad carefully prepared the soil, sowed the seeds and watered faithfully, I grew into a young woman who had her own ideas, a sense of curiosity and a strong value for education and continuous learning.
             I went to Metro State University and like a young seedling groped toward the nurturing sun. I got married at the end of my first year of college and later transferred to Bethel College where I graduated with a B.S. in Business Management. Life went along and we had three beautiful children. My children have and continue to be three of my greatest life teachers; providing new insights about my own personality and about how humans learn and grow.
             As with gardening, so much about life is beyond our control. I noticed today there are many bald patches near the front of the garden and was surprised because last spring I attempted to sow the seeds so evenly. I have, in short, no control over how my garden will grow, but I know if I continue to water it and contend with the moles, I will have done all I can do to assure that it grows. I live on hope!
             Well, the marriage didn't last and I was left with the challenge of raising three children, working full-time, going to school and maintaining our home. I learned so much about myself during the next three years. I was extremely resilient, positive in the face of adversity and that hard work never scares me. Scattered among the random clusters of poppies, daisies, larkspur and snapdragons was a new life for me. I began to sow new seeds of possibility by leaving my high paying career,...