I think about how I let those patches slide by without attention. I wonder why I didn't tend to them earlier. Weeding requires diligence. The Latin roots of diligence describe being careful and paying attention, of being observant and faithful. One of the words formed from the same root means to love something and to value it highly.
Weeds are one of the garden's great teachers.
If a person is diligent with his weeding, then the weeding gets a little easier over time. If a person neglects the weeds, they take the place over. I can remember how my Daddy's garden was virtually weed-free after he spent quite a number of years weeding and weeding. After awhile, the weeds just decided to grow elsewhere and leave Papa Joe's ground alone. I think he was more proud of that than any crop he ever grew.