Have you ever been going along, doing your thing and a song pops into your head from so many years ago? 

 

One of these things is not like the other.

 

Doot doo doo Doot. 

 

Suddenly, time is transporting you back. Perhaps it was a simpler time when you were thinking about dipping graham crackers in milk. 

 

Or was it making chocolate chip cookies by the dozen with your mom during a bake fest? 

 

For me, it was a quiet time of learning ABCs and 123s.  And this. 

 

A quick song and a few pictures are on the screen. 

 

Easy music in the background.  

You’ve got this.

 

What was the difference here? 

Song sung by monsters

The song was sung by monsters who ate cookies, friends who looked at what shoes or outfits or even what weather could be different. 

 

The name of the game was paying attention.  

 

Which of these things is not like the other. 

Name the difference before the song ends. 

 

Somehow, I could see what needed to be seen, every single time, before time ran out. 

 

It is magical even now as a smile appears on my face at the memory. 

 

I have remembered this song over the years and put it into practice as I drive along.  

 

Even recently when this scene of a field of sunflowers came into view. 

 

And yes, the song popped into my mind. 

 

One of these things is not like the others. 

 

Do you see it? 

It is standing very tall there. 

At least it is to me. 

 

Granted. I notice things that stand tall. 

 

This field of sunflowers has been growing all summer alongside the road. 

 

Suddenly there were a few sunflowers growing a bit taller than the others so I watched to see how tall they would get.

 

This one kept going so I stopped one day, and the song came rolling into my mind. 

 

Here is what else I noticed. 

 

There is a fence that has two rails around the field that look to be similar in size and purpose. 

They seem to be good at doing their job and staying steady right in front. 

 

Thanks fence.  

Line of trees

The line of trees behind the field of flowers are there to give a break to the relentless wind in this part of our state.  

 

And they are beautiful.  Pause here, my friends.  

Trees are meant to be seen for their own loveliness. 

 

Do the sunny colored flowers even know what these ever-present trees do for them?  Perhaps not and yet they are there doing what they are made for. Creating safety and strength. 

 

Aaahhh.  Trees are the best! 

 

Did you look up? 

 

Those billowing clouds may be bringing in some shade for the sunflower.  It could bring a moment of relief even though this flower tracks the sunshine across the sky.

One flower reaching

Then, my friends, do you see how that one flower is reaching taller to the sky? It is seen so well when you look for it.

 

Yet, there is a nod to the flowers around it. 

 

Hey there! How are ya?  Whatcha doing? 

 

I love growing and doing my thing. Can you see that? 

 

Isn’t that what that song taught?  That shoes, cookies and monsters, and flowers, talk to us? 

 

Yes! 

So, let’s look at what else there is.

 

I have looked at this flower for days to consider a few more things. 

 

Why, of course, I have. 

 

All of these things could be like what is seen in other places. 

People give us steady strength

People around us may be there to give us a steady strength when we need to see it, borrow or be near theirs. 

 

I have had this happen many times when family, friends and people I work with have been my trees.  Their quiet courage has given me the steps I needed to keep going. 

 

Some people have become towering sources and others small samples of strength. 

All are beautiful and needed. 

 

Looking up next to see the ones in life who bring shade, respite, calm and moments of joy. 

 

Small texts of I see you.  Billowing grandness with time on patios or making time for sweet treats. 

 

These souls come in and out of life with simple pureness and leave sunshine in their wake. 

 

Is there something more?  

Always, truly. This time, for sure. 

 

There is time to go back to the ones in life who are the steady ones.  Like the fence.  

 

Yes, they are right in front. Taking care. They do it for others. 

Every. Single. Time.

 

Wait. Perhaps, you are this person and are looking for the respite, calm and steady strength to come to you. 

Joy of this

Here is the joy of this, my friends. 

 

We are all of these together. 

 

How incredible is that?  Can that be true? 

 

Is that the truth?  

 

Pause.  Breathe. 

 

I will say this. 

In our world

In our world there was one who was not like the others. My Muse.

 

He was tall. 

Nodded to others. 

 

Said Hey, how are ya?  

 

Waved at everyone for decades. 

Laughed and grinned at inside jokes with a slap of the knee.

 

Then I realized. 

Holy Moly. 

 

This tall one.  Was like everyone else in that he loved everyone he came to know as they came to know him. 

 

His quiet courage was contagious and led to billowing kindness for so many, even today. 

 

Oh wow. He did leave sunshine in his wake. 

 

Here is what else. 

What if we can do this, my friends?  

 

Become the thing that is not like the others, and all came together, shared strength, shade, and time being the steady one.  

 

Let’s consider it!  What a great new song that would be.

 

Doot doo doo doot.