Acorn to Oaktree

“Little by little,” the acorn said,
As it slowly sank in its mossy bed,
“I am improving every day,
Hidden deep in the earth away.”
Little by little each day it grew;
Little by little it sipped the dew;
Downward it sent out a threadlike root;
Up in the air sprung a tiny shoot,
Day after day, and year after year,
Little by little the leaves appear;
And the slender branches spread far and wide,
Till the mighty oak is the forest’s pride.

“Little by little,” said the thoughtful boy,
“Moment by moment, I’ll well employ,
Learning a little every day,
And not misspending my time in play;
Whatever I do I will do it well.
Little by little, I’ll learn to know
The treasured wisdom of long ago;
And one of these days, perhaps, will see
That the world will be the better for me.”

-Little by Little, Anonymous

There is this beautiful oak tree at the “red park” near our house. It produces the biggest acorns I have ever seen. We like collecting them, especially the ones with the little hats on. I can’t help but wonder how old is this tree? How many people have climbed it? Enjoyed its expanding branches and ever changing cover? What has this tree overheard as the seasons passed around it, kids climbed it, and it continued to grow into something amazing.

Life is forever growing and I am excited about what was itty-bitty is now nearly ready to be met. Cody Alexander will be here soon and we are beyond thrilled. Toby is glued to my side like Katie-Nana from Peter Pan soaking in the last moments on the couch before he knows it is time for constant interruption of feedings and changes. Little acorns need tending in order to grow into something even greater than they already are.

Ryder and Rory have also noticed that little by little my belly has grown. They can feel Cody kick them if they snuggle too close. Ryder dreams of Cody being here so he can talk to him.

And I am ready to meet this new mini Mack very soon…we have things to learn, things to do, and lots of growing to do!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. We are more than thankful for this little gift, a little brother.

“They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of His splendor…

I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.”

– Isaiah 61:3b, 10a