Ｐｌａｎｔｉｎｇ Ｄａｙ

When I was little， often helped my mother plant ourfamily's garden. As soon as the chilly winds of Chicago wintergave way to spring， Mom would be outside with a spade，seed packets， gardening gloves， and a secret smile that hadbeen hibernating all winter. That smile never seemed toshine as bright as on those first few days in April when shesquatted in the mud with tiny seeds in her hands.