One morning, I noticed a small plant sprouting in a muddy, shaded, and well-trodden corner of my garden. As I looked closer, I realized it was a vine—growing and persevering despite its less-than-ideal surroundings. When I reached toward it, I saw that parts of the vine had begun to wrap around a nearby raspberry bush, one that received plenty of sunlight throughout the day.
 
In that moment, I understood something simple yet profound: the vine was reaching for more. It could have survived where it was—slowly, maybe even indefinitely—but instead, it sought out support and climbed toward the light. It found a way to thrive.
 
Later that summer, Colorado weather put it to the test. Three rounds of hail in just two days left my garden battered. Expecting to find the vine destroyed, I was surprised to see it stronger than ever, now fully intertwined with the raspberry bush. The harsher the conditions, the more resilient it became.
 
As months passed, the vine continued to climb until it no longer needed the bush for support. It grew strong, independent—and bloomed the most stunning orange flowers.
 

Every year since, that same vine returns. Some seasons it leans more on the raspberry bush, other times it stands on its own. It may face more shade or storms, but year after year, it continues to grow—and to bloom beautifully.