By Emily Malloy

We are all familiar with the old adage that states to "bloom where you are planted." My most successful plants over the years have typically been what gardeners call "volunteers." 

A volunteer plant is one that grows without being planted intentionally by the gardener. Wind, bird, or happenstance facilitates the plant to spring up where it is. Some consider these plants a nuisance, but depending upon the perspective, they could be viewed as a gift. No matter the outlook, there is a lot to glean from the example of the volunteer plant thriving in the midst of challenging circumstances. 

As most gardeners can attest, volunteers have the ability to be more robust than seeds that have been intentionally planted. A great many odds had to be overcome in order to flourish where the seed landed. Throughout this summer and autumn, I have observed with wonder one volunteer sugar pie pumpkin plant established by my chickens in our small pasture.

Many incidents threatened the vitality of this plant: a tractor crushing it in its early tender stage, constantly being "underhoof" of two horses and a Jersey cow who frequent this patch of pasture, and what seems like an endless drought. Yet, the vine persists. Not only does it persist, but it produces.

To date, upwards of 15 pumpkins have been harvested from one little seedling. And there are at least 10 more pumpkins still in the process of maturing. For a single pumpkin vine, this is quite a yield. It is taking quite the amount of restraint to not spam the world with endless pumpkin recipes. 

Life on the farm presents so many opportunities for contemplation and learning. Seeking to succeed in the garden and in keeping livestock causes intense maturation of not only the crops and animals, but of the farmer as well. The story of living on the land is one of constant docility and cooperation. Fortunately, not all opportunities for learning come from negative experiences despite their frequency.

There is something about the lessons that are learned from the joyful surprises on a farm. For example, perseverance of the volunteers have a way of heartening the onlooker more than other successful plants. The gardener cannot take one ounce of credit for the robust and prolific nature of this pumpkin plant. It is the story of an underdog whose external conditions were not slated in its favor. Yet, it served its ordinary purpose without encouragement and somehow beguiles because it IS extraordinary. 

The phrase "bloom where you are planted" resonates as it does because we are often placed into a similar position as the sugar pie pumpkin vine. We find ourselves amid situations that we did not seek - for better or worse - overlooked and disregarded or even trampled, yet called to persist. As we mature, we recognize that we are unable to control the circumstances of our lives, but we can grow in virtue and holiness, becoming prolific where we are planted. 

This is taking up the cross. And, as the stories of the saints attest, our submission to it will bear much fruit.