After a short stretch away, I was excited to return to harvest the last of this season’s blueberries, and the little peaches that have been developing on my brand-new trees.

Alas, the neighborhood critters had been busy in my absence – the berries gobbled up by the turkeys and bear, and the peaches claimed by the deer. As I was stomping back to the house, trying not to resent my fellow residents, my ankle twisted on the path. Glancing down, I saw an apple so round and unblemished that it would have fetched a premium even at the snootiest city grocer — far superior to the missing peaches and berries.

Friends, sometimes others swoop in on our plans. Sometimes our careful tending turns into another’s gain. 

And sometimes, even as we’re mourning what’s missing, an unexpected prize falls right at our feet.