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Our bags of tulip bulb had sat by the doorway for a considerable amount of time. With our whirling schedules, it was difficult to make time to plant the bulbs, and I felt just a little guilty each time I passed by the bags.

Finally we set aside one Saturday to till the earth and get our little bulbs planted before the last frost. I threw on my work clothes and headed out to join my husband in the back-breaking task of turning the soil over and removing all the rocks and excess plants.

In our house, whenever Mommy and Daddy have work to do, our three little imps are sure to show up. My youngest popped her little head out the front door and asked, "What are you doing?" She looked skeptically at our sweaty faces and the pile of shredded earth we toiled over.

We grinned at her and said, "We're going to plant our flowers to make the yard pretty." She nodded, obviously realizing this was real work and wanting nothing to do with it, she flounced back into the house to resume the tea party she was dressed for. I bent back over my rake and went back to work. My son ran around the corner and watched us slave away. For one shining moment I thought perhaps he was going to help out his dear mother, but he caught sight of the cat rummaging through the bushes and quickly ran off to "capture the mighty tiger!"

My husband and I chuckled, resigned to working alone. We finally cleared a good portion of ground. I was now on my hands and knees, digging the holes for our little buds. The smell of freshly turned earth was thick and pleasant. My back ached but I felt a great sense of accomplishment. A sweet peace washed over me as I covered each bulb.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a pair of sparkled sneakers topped with mismatched socks. I looked up to see my oldest daughter smiling and looking on with curiosity.

"Can I help?" she asked sweetly. I beamed at her and handed her a small spade.

Side by side, my daughter and I worked to deposit the remaining bulbs. We talked about gardening, about the fat earth worms we had uncovered and how long it would take for our tulips to grow. I watched with pride as she dug holes and planted tulip buds. There are times when I feel time has passed too quickly and my children are growing leaps and bounds. But for a moment, time slowed and my daughter and I worked together, enjoying each other's company. Once finished, we stood up, stretching and brushing the dirt from our knees.

A cool breeze lifted the hair from my forehead and I smiled at my daughter. She grinned at me in return and I was thankful for this brief moment we shared together, planting our tulips and tending the garden of our hearts.

Learn more about this author, Amanda Coers.
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