While going through my pictures, I found the one of the double zinnias, taken Aug. 31, 2004. I have to smile. I remember the night before I took that picture, I was caught in the flood in Richmond, VA. I spent about two hours panicked, in my car, watching flood waters rise around me. Even my dog was panicked. We drove through flooded streets, sometimes floating, it's quite a miracle my car stayed running. I was lost in the city, had just driven over 700 miles, and all the power was out. I was rescued by a good samaritan.

And I remember the next morning, how welcome those flowers seemed. I have to admit that though it wasn't necessarily a life-threatening ordeal, I was just thankful for keeping my head together, for the most part, and being able to find someone that helped me. And Mom picked the zinnias and left them in the sun. Sometimes the smallest things seem like the most valuable treasure.