Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

My message left on a park bench July 24, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 5:00 AM
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The message I left on a park bench in Central Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2023)

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS now is love sweet love…and a whole lot more.

But on this afternoon in Faribault’s Central Park, love centers my thoughts. For no particular reason, only that I want to leave a message upon a park bench. An uplifting message crafted from acorns plucked from the grass.

As I gather the prematurely fallen mini acorns, I realize this task will take a while. So I invite Randy to help. He does.

Soon I have enough, not to form the beginning lyrics by songwriter Hal David from the 1965 song made popular by singer Jackie DeShannon, but to shape the singular word, “love.”

Carefully I position each acorn, quickly learning that if I don’t turn them just right, nudging one next to the other, they will roll off the slanted bench seat. Can’t have love disappearing even before it’s become a reality.

Thirty-one acorns later and I’ve written my word of the day. I am hopeful that someone who needs to read that word will find it and feel encouraged, uplifted, loved. We can all use a little (a whole lot of) love in our lives.

© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling