Surprises

The new house has brought many surprises. One of the most splendid surprises has been the two japanese magnolia trees framing our front door. I thought they were crepe myrtles when we looked at the house in the dead of winter.

As it started blooming a couple weeks ago, I literally did a happy dance in the front yard after I realized this was no crepe myrtle at all!

Japanese Magnolia Trees are also known as Japanese tulip or Saucer Magnolia Trees

It has been my favorite blooming tree since I was a little girl. I remember a house on Trenton St. in my childhood town that had one, and I marveled at it every spring.

This year I sat on my front steps and marveled at my own japanese magnolia as I opened the mail on a petal strewn walkway. It has been quite the little unexpected blessing thrown in my lap.

I did nothing to work for this tree and didn't even know I was acquiring it with the purchase of this house, but yet I get to enjoy its beauty. I guess you would call that grace - getting that which you do not deserve.