Dander Up

A few days ago, I was cleaning in my front room and I noticed at the front window someone rummaging through my flower beds.  Really?  What is someone doing in my flower beds.  So I rush out the front door, with my dander up ready to ask, what are you doing?

As I whisk the rather stout front door open, and squish the screen door open, I find an elderly woman.  Dander still up, but slightly intrigued I asked, can I help you?  I startled her.  She didn't want to make eye contact, my heart was begining to soften.

I said, I'm not a very good gardner, but can I help you.  She asked a question I couldn't answer and really don't remember now, but I noticed she had a little reuseable grocery bag and was collecting flowers from the village.

She sheepishly snipped a piece of my bleeding heart and inquired about get a purple puff ball (don't really know what it is.)  I went from warrior princess going to defend my helpless flower bed to feeling silly for startling a poor elderly woman who wanted to bring some floral cheer to her home. 

So the next time, I observe someone in my flower bed, I will check to see if it's this woman who helps herself to a little piece of heaven from my garden.  I can let her have her joy without making her feel like she's intruding.  It's the least I can do.