There is a pumpkin growing out of a crack in my front porch!

Yep! There is absolutely a pumpkin vine snaking its way out of a large crack in my front porch. I saw the bright green tendrils emerge in late spring. With delight, I left it in peace, knowing it would most likely die from being trampled or neglected. It has not died. Instead, it has withstood rain, drought, my children’s playful antics, and the dog marking it every chance he gets. And now it is producing fruit! My children are watering it faithfully and I must confess, I am thoroughly enjoying watching it grow. How is a large vine able to be supported by a handful of accidental dirt? My mind is blown away by what I think I know about gardening and raising pumpkins. We grow them in huge fields, traditionally, to accommodate the long twisting vines with huge leaves that will take over and continue growing until disease or frost stops them.

I think the same thing about pregnancy and birth. Just when I think I have a basic understanding of how something works, I am humbled and my mind is blown in wonder! Our bodies are so complex and wonderful! I often say God has a sense of humor, but the pumpkin vine in the porch is so much more than that. Life is full of wonder that we should notice! It’s good for us to stop and see and acknowledge wonder! Pure joy is born of wonder and delight. We are often too busy getting through our day to “stop and notice”. My kids are a good reminder to stop and literally, “smell the roses”, or look at the toad they just caught (toads are incredible creatures if you look at them closely).

In the birth room, we spend a lot of our time as doulas, encouraging our clients to breathe. Just breathe. Our mamas may forget to stop and breathe in the intensity of a contraction, just like we forget to “stop and wonder” in our day-to-day stress. Breathing is a known anxiety reducer, as well as spending time outside in nature, noticing something wonderful.

What will you decide to notice, this fall? What wonder will you allow to creep inside your soul and take root, bringing joyful fruit? Let us know what new wonders you have discovered, in the comment section. And might I suggest “accidentally” letting a stray seed from your jack-o-lantern, fall into a crack in your front porch?

“Hi there, pumpkin friend!”

Just look at those eyes! Amazing!