what are you growing?

I am thoroughly inspired by the potential of a human being to grow...... to grow anything....anywhere...

this week I found myself in a bountiful community garden in New Brighton... a haven of spring vibrancy.. shoots coming up before my eyes, pots heaving with seedlings ready to move into bigger houses, rich scents of damp earth, tangy herbs and blossom...lots of blossom...

being a retired English cottage gardener at heart (that part of my life fell away when I came to NZ) I was delighted to discover this plot... the potential of freshly dug soil to yield its fruit has always birthed visions of colour and taste to my senses, yet there was a tangible something else about this place that brought a sweet ache to my heart...a recognition..

from the guardian of the garden, fingers blackened with earth, the welcome was warm ... her smile like the sun shining on the tender spring green.... and as I stayed a while people came... an old guy, ambling around with a mower... a young guy, who swims in the ocean every day of the year then comes here to dig....a self-concious teenager, who sat in the ragged remains of a boat and weeded... ladies with big hats to keep the sun off, a guy so black and sunny you'd think he had swallowed the sun whole... they came...to the garden....in their play of individuality... all morning they came...

each has their place and their play in the garden... there is no doubt of that...the opportunity to sow a small seed and watch it grow...in fertile soil... as I watched the play, as I was drawn into the weave of gardener, garden and life, the ache in my heart showed me this space was growing more than veggies... the shared delights of friendship are thriving... giving...planting....communion and caring are blooming, laughter is rising...

here, they are sharing the spirit of commitment to the earth and reaping human unity...

I saw so much about life... the garden of life...

what are you growing? where are you growing it?

I visited a thriving community garden this week...

my host, the black fingered garden Goddess, shared how her home community was devastated by the earthquake... nearly every house in the area red stickered for demolition..... she was smiling as she spoke... eyes bright....living in the yard in a caravan... 2 teenage sons sleeping in the shed... awakening each day with the shock of an outdoor shower....diggers everywhere.. hammering, drilling, noise.....noise.... noise... yet such great-fullness for the simple shared pleasures of life and the proximity of the NZ army... these guys, with open-hearted willingness and unbridled laughter, are offering their muscle power to restore some semblance of 'home' ... no job too large or small.... chalk up your need on the community blackboard and a number of burly lads are at your door...instantly...ready, willing, able and equipped for anything... now that's a cool use for the army..

here the earth has quaked herself open to be a garden of opportunity....

what are you growing? where are you growing it?

opportunity or crisis.....you have the power..... what are you growing?