Green Oasis

I noticed the faces of the people I encountered on my walk across campus this morning. I enjoyed their variety and pondered on how many different kinds of people are needed to make our human society work. I usually hurry on my way into the office, heedless of other people, lost in my thoughts. This morning, my only thoughts were about those people. Wordlessly I thanked them for their contributions to my life.

Then I noticed a bush with brilliant red and orange flowers raising an ecstatic clarion call, celebrating its own life, and calling others to join the party. I had never noticed this bush before. It was tucked away in the corner of a building where few would probably notice it. I silently congratulated the bush for being happy even if no one came to its party.