Planting Seeds of Change
August 14, 2008 – 6:12 am
After a long day at the office yesterday, I ventured out between downpours to take pictures for my garden club yearbook. Our theme this year is Reaching Beyond the Garden Gate, Planting Seeds of Change. To capture that theme, I met Caroline over at her granddaughter’s to set up a photo shoot of a little kid planting seeds.
I never imagined how magical it would turn out to be. Watching Caroline and Sydney crouch down on the ground together in the grass to plant the bean seeds, I became mesmerized. For the first few minutes little Sydney couldn’t stop looking at the camera, typical of a beautiful child who probably gets her picture taken often. After a few minutes, however, Caroline got her focused on her seeds and she dumped them all in the lap of her little dress.
As Caroline scratched out a hole, Sydney scratched out a hole. As Caroline planted a seed, Sydney planted a seed. After doing this twice, Sydney needed no instructions. One by one she planted the seeds while Caroline and I talked to her. When I told her that we were planting bean seeds that would grow big like “Jack and the beanstalk,” her eyes lit up. You could see her mind working out her own version of the story. Suddenly she wanted them to grow “long” so she could climb them and decided the best way to get instant results was to plant the entire packet all at once. We laughed at her logic, collecting the extra seeds behind her.
It got me thinking about what we teach our children. Do we teach them to love the earth, or not to get dirty? Do we teach them to grow things, or not to touch things? It is so easy to get caught up in dolling out rules and regulations that we sometimes forget to invite curiosity and channel it into good, healthy loving experiences.
Yesterday reminded me that whatever we share with our children mirrors what and how we feel about life in general. A valuable lesson.
2 Responses to “Planting Seeds of Change”
I just wanted to let you know how moved I was by the photo and subject matter of todays email. My grandmother was such a huge influence in my love of the outdoors, gardening and just getting purely filthy outside not only as a child but even as an adult. I can remember us digging in her garden, planting seeds, dividing her beloved daylilies and even just pulling weeds together. During the summer when I would stay at her home in the country, we would wake up early each morning to pick off (and count!) the spent day lily blooms from the day before. She allowed me to be a child, even in my adulthood. The tears running down my face as I write this are a testiment to the love and admiration I had for this incredible person I call Grandmama. She passed away on Valentines Day three years ago – so appropriate for her to leave this world on a day that represents love and caring. Thank you for bringing those wonderful memories back to me. I may be sad, but I know she walks along side of me in my garden every day.
By Chris on Aug 14, 2008
Trish- I love this photo. The intent expressions on both grandmother and granddaughter’s faces are priceless.
By Will on Aug 14, 2008