~~~~
(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.
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. |
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