I learned that Krishna loves hiking and its unexpected adventures. We also discussed gardening and found yet another common thread – as children, we both were given the gift of getting dirt under our fingernails by working in the garden – Krishna with his father and me with my Godfather. Though years have passed since our childhood days, we both agreed that working in the garden provides tranquility and a sense of accomplishment that continues to feed our passion.
I came away from that meeting with the realization that teaching a child to place a seed in the soil is a treasure they will carry throughout life. A child will recognize a garden as a place to “get grounded” when life otherwise becomes complicated. They learn the magic of watching seeds sprout into vegetables or beautiful flowers. Gardening also teaches them to have patience, to wait for that miracle to develop. The period from seed to sprout is a precious time when spent with loved ones as the garden is tended, watered and cultivated. A child will grow to understand that the land can sustain them if they learn to foster a healthy environment. In my opinion, the rewards of teaching a child about gardening are worth more than the greatest of riches.
I spoke to my son last night about the value of teaching children to garden since he fathered six of the nine beautiful grandchildren in my life. I didn’t want them to grow up without experiencing this treasure. He informed me that while he appreciates a beautiful garden and loves to be surrounded by nature, it is not his passion to create or tend a garden. After much thought, I realized that we did not share the same experience. His chores fell to the grueling jobs of weeding the garden and carrying the “compostables” to the far reaches of the property. Due to the lifestyle we lived when he and his sister were children, they missed the thrill of toddling out into the garden with a loved adult and being shown how far down to push the seeds on the tips of their tiny fingers and to water and nurture the soil. This ritual that I treasure was missing in their lives. Our conversation made me realize I failed to share that gift with them!
After talking with Krishna and then with my son, I now wonder if the passion develops from the act of gardening when we were little, or from the person we were with at the time. May I offer a suggestion? If you have any little children in your life, take the time to show them the long-lived treasure that comes with gardening. I guarantee, you will be planting a deep-”seeded” memory.
I come from a long line of Midwest farmers, but my wife grew up in New York City and Detroit. Even so, she’s as avid a back yard gardener as I am. Both flowers and veggies. And fruit trees. So the bug can hit you later in life.
I’m also pleased that our grand daughters–LA city girls through and through–love to dig in my compost heap and see all the worms. And the younger one helped me stack an entire cord of firewood from an oak tree we cut down.
So the urge can be passed along in various ways.
My nephew to this day, holds as one of his vivid memories of my gardens, that he could walk through my garden and meet a new wonderful aromatic around every turn. I intentionally planted a garden full of wonderful smells, colors and tastes, and it was a treat to hear this 27 year old bring it up at Christmas dinner.
Mike,
How wonderful that you have provided such a special environment for your “city” grandchildren. I believe the passion you and your wife experience with outdoor living is contagious! What a gift you have given them! Surely those memories will be a treasure they will draw on for years to come.
Hi Laura,
Good to hear from you! Your nephew expressed exactly what I am talking about…those deep- “seeded” memories of walking through a garden, or working along side a loved one sharing the joy of gardening. Sounds like he gave you the gift by sharing his memory! Keep up the good work.
I believe you hit a home run on your assessment of childhood memories and the people we shared them with. I don’t recall ever gardening with Grandpa (Nono), but I raked more leaves, side by side with him……than stars in the sky! And to this day, I find raking leaves very comforting.
Or maybe my love for cooking comes from the Basil or Italian parsley chopped, or the endless grating of Parmesan at Noni’s kitchen table. I cant smell Basil without the thinking of Grandma.
I’m quite sure that all my children will have some sort of an attachment, related to their Grandma! Whatever it may be, I hope they will share it with your passion.
Thanks for stirring up those pictures, Randy. Very sweet memories for sure.
Love you. Mom