Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Missy's Smile

The following has been contributed by our garden director Carol Smith, who has moved mountains to get the garden at Howell off the ground, along with her husband Tenney. The two have been a dynamic duo and fantastic part of Seeds!
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(Names changed to respect the privacy of our new friends)

How does it feel to be eight years old and one day away from starting 3rd grade in a brand new neighborhood?  And to struggle with English?  And to be afraid?  Today, we met that little girl in the school garden.

If you follow us on facebook, you already know how thrilled we are to have received a Community Seed Grant from Native Seeds/SEARCH! Thanks to this vibrant local organization, the Seeds Howell School Garden Program is growing a Three Sisters demonstration garden this summer and fall.  Just like Native American farmers, we planted native seeds that complement one another in the garden as well as nutritionally.  We will also be planting native sunflower seeds received in this grant after last season’s sunflowers fade and ripen to seed.

On July 14th, before the Peter Howell Elementary students return to school, Seeds volunteers prepped the soil and planted native squash (Tohono O’odham “Ha:I”), sweet corn (Yuman Yellow) and common beans (O’odham Pink).  We had a fun day of community and camaraderie – even in the face of the biting ants – and prayed that we’d have a garden growing for students, teachers and staff to enjoy upon their return to school August 2nd.  God was already at work preparing the harvest.



17 days after the planting and the day before school started, Tenney and I headed to the courtyard to check the Three Sisters’ progress.  I confess I was tired and a bit wrung out from several days of working in the garden, attending meetings, keeping Seeds operating behind the scenes and the rest of living life.  But as we walked through the hallway and despite my preoccupation, I noticed a young family peeking out the window into the courtyard.  Mom, Dad and Daughter were admiring the fresh mown grass, picnic tables and curious about those crazy tall sunflowers from last season, now heavy and laden with ripening seeds. 

At the prompt of the Spirit, I asked, “Would you like to see the garden?”



Yes!  Mom and Dad herded a reticent Daughter through the courtyard doors behind us as I babbled on about the foot high corn, the huge squash plants and the multitude of beans reaching for the sky.  I turned around to see Daughter’s reaction.  She looked me straight in the eye but I saw tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to Mom’s familiar leg.  My heart was broken.

“What is your name,” I asked softly. 

“Missy,” she whispered as the tears began to evaporate and she stroked her braids.  Slowly, slowly, we got to know each other just a little bit. 

We introduced ourselves as school garden volunteers to Julio and Polly Valdez who have just moved into the Peter Howell neighborhood.  We welcomed them enthusiastically.  They responded with friendly interest and lots of questions about us, the garden and the school. 

Missy and I continued to share a moment in the garden inspecting the huge sunflower heads packed with seeds.  We considered roasting the seeds for snacking and hoped the birds wouldn’t eat them all before we did.  Julio interpreted for Missy more than a couple of times as we got to know each other.



Then the five of us exited the courtyard and strolled toward the front door.  We told them about the Walking School Bus program and how to get more information.  At the office, we stopped to say our farewells.  When I held out my hand, Missy gently put hers in mine.

“It was very nice meeting you today, Missy.  I hope we get to garden together this year,” my voice a bit husky with a full heart and gratitude for such a meaningful experience.

We stood there a few more moments, all seemingly a bit reluctant to part.  We were grinning.  The entire Valdez family was beaming, but the biggest smile of all belonged to Missy.  

This photo is NOT Missy but represents the harvest reaped as we shared God's glory in the garden and loved on a scared little girl.




Let us not become weary in doing good things for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)



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