With fall upon us it’s time to experience beauty of another color – different smells, sites, tastes, adventures and blessings…

My adventure partner and I, along with another couple, Joe and Eire (who we adore!), went to an Avocado Festival in CA. Doesn’t that sound fun? Well, it was! An added bonus was meeting a cousin of mine there, Karen, who drove from Calibasis. She is so beautiful and full of life – what a joy to be around! We walked, looked at things,and ate guacamole until we were exhausted – so much fun!

Karen made her way home, while the four of us drove to Ventura to check into a B & B. The next surprise… plans had been made. My Princess Rita and Eire went to grade school together and had both loved and been inspired by their fifth grade teacher, more than 4 decades ago! Well the girls found out that their teacher (Christine) lived in Ventura and made plans to meet.

We met at our B & B, sipping wine and having so much fun! The girls got to share special memories of the nurturing and inspiration they had experienced so many years ago. The stories were so great to listen to. The girls had memories that their teacher didn’t, and their teacher had memories (and insights) that the girls didn’t.

The teacher from so many years ago was thrilled to learn of the loving impact she had made on those 10 year old girls.

The girls, now adults, could appreciate the very special, lovely, dedicated teacher (now personal coach), who loved and nurtured them so many years before. As the stories were exchanged, the emotions flowed.

It reminded me of a line in the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu: ” it doesn’t matter how smart you are if you don’t have the sense to honor your teachers”. (from verse 27).

The girls felt so thrilled when they were able to share their life successes. Thrilled because they were able to tell the teacher who had loved them as children how blessed their lives had turned out.

As I watched, listened and participated in the visit, I began to ponder, who is more blessed?

The girls as they honor their teacher with love and respect?

The teacher being honored and graciously accepting and returning love and respect?

Or the One who brought them together?

So who is more blessed? The girls, the teacher or the Spirit of love?