On a quiet street in the Plains, Jeanie Buell and her family have found a unique source of joy: an enormous watermelon affectionately named "Big Momma." For weeks, Buell, her grandchildren, and the neighborhood kids eagerly watched Big Momma grow, waiting for the perfect moment to harvest it.

Yesterday, the moment finally arrived. Buell went on Facebook Live, inviting friends and family to guess the weight of the massive melon, before they went out to the garden to pick and weigh it. The excitement culminated when her grandson Nolan made the winning guess of 125 pounds, 14 pounds over its actual weight of 111.

But this story isn’t just about an impressively large watermelon—it’s about finding contentment even during the dry seasons of life.

"I’m a caretaker for my paralyzed husband, and I’m raising my granddaughter. We have to find things to bring us joy," Buell shares. For her, Big Momma became a symbol of that joy, something to look forward to and care for. And a beautiful metaphor for life: Big Momma unexpectedly grew out of seeds that were tossed in the burn pile. 

Though Buell has only grown a watermelon once before, she knew this one was special. "Sometimes, you just have a perfect scenario," she says. However, it wasn't without challenges. Watermelons can be delicate, susceptible to sunburn if not properly protected. To shield Big Momma, Buell covered it with chicken wire and a screen, ensuring the sun wouldn't damage its rind. 

As Big Momma was finally harvested, it wasn’t just the size of the watermelon that mattered. It was the joy it brought to Buell, her family, and her community. "She wasn’t just a watermelon. She was a source of joy," Buell says, highlighting the simple yet profound impact this giant melon had on their lives.