Cracks

My friend Beth sent me this photo from her yard. “Look at these plants growing through this huge rock!” she wrote. “How the heck do they do that? You should write about this.”

First, I loved that she noticed, took a second to snap a photo, and thought there’s something powerful going on here. That’s my goal with this Substack— to notice things in new and interesting ways and explore what they might have to say or teach us.

Second, she’s right. There’s something compelling and poignant about those tenacious plants and grasses, making their way up in the middle of a massive flagstone.

Those plants made me think differently, as plants so often do.

Generally, a crack is not a good thing.

Cracks in a glass, a phone screen, or a windshield usually require repair, sometimes even replacement.

Cracks in teeth, bones, or skin are painful and require intervention and time to heal.

Cracks in trust or loyalty can often be points of no return in relationships.

Cracks are usually signs of injury, age, or damage.

I’ve never considered them as opportunities.

But the plants did.

Slowly, methodically, they sought out a space and grew into it. To them, the cracks were openings.

Maybe that’s true for us too.

A broken heart might lead you to new self-discovery. A broken bone might lead you to a new book or hobby. A broken screen might lead you outside.

Maybe our cracks and breaks and splits are little doorways.

The thought makes me smile. Even if that means more cracks around my eyes.

Here’s to Beth, here’s to noticing, here’s to a couple of plants showing off and reminding us that growth can happen, even in the most unlikely of places.

Interested in object-based storytelling? I’m hosting a one-hour online zoom workshop THIS MONDAY June 22 at 5pm (MT). You don’t have to be a writer. You don’t have to share a word if you don’t want to. You simply have to bring yourself and one special thing, keepsake, or memento. You never know the story that’s inside of you that might just need a little nudge. What do you have to lose? ❤️

Register here.

My memoir, Piece by Piece: A Life Remembered Through Things Lost, is available wherever you buy books and online here.💙📖

I’ll be in Colorado Springs this Saturday, June 20. I sure would love to see you there.