Acorns

Last week I handed out over 100 acorns I had gathered from my backyard, as I told people we were having an acorn week. This week I’ll be hiding acorns in the pockets of my daughter’s hoodies, toiletries, and her backpack as we prepare to bring her to college for the first time.

As a lonely little girl in my younger years, acorns were some of my first friends. I’d carry them in my pockets, play make believe with each collection, and put them to rest on my bedside table.

When my kids were small, we’d go on acorn hunts and see who could find the most. We’d draw faces on them and I’d tell them how acorns were their mom’s first friends. I’d also tell them that the acorn is like us, a brave seed who looks like a soldier wearing a helmet, prepared to brave the wilderness, grow roots and one day become a tall oak tree … just like them.

In 2004, which was also the year I was married, the oak tree was named the national tree for United States. And 10 years ago our family moved to our home with a backyard barn surrounded by gigantic oak trees. This is why we have the 3 rings around the Bird & Bear logo ~ they are the rings of an oak tree!

These brave little seeds have been a constant in my life since I can remember. A faithful reminder that small beginnings will grow into mighty oaks.

Thank you little acorn friends for this reminder, one I’m so grateful to be sharing with the many mighty oaks rooted together and growing up in this wilderness.