Why Garden?
Why garden?
A young child once asked me why I garden.
I pondered for a while before finally I answered him:
“I garden not for the fruit, nor for the vegetables;
While I do enjoy eating them.
I garden not for the exercise, nor for the muscles;
While I do enjoy strengthening them.
I do not garden to save a dime.
I do not garden because I have the time.
Because sometimes, I do not have them.
Why do I garden?
I garden to feel the sun, the earth, and the water.
I garden to see my seedlings turn to flower.
Like a mother, I watch them grow.
Though at times they are stunted and slow,
Eventually they will blossom.
Except when they don’t.
Because sometimes they won’t.
A garden stops you,
Makes you appreciate the simple things:
The soft morning dew,
The water trickling,
The birds singing,
The bees buzzing,
The sun rising,
The seasons changing;
With earth you are uniting.”
The young child looked up and stared.
A moment later he declared:
“Will you teach me to garden?
I want to grow my own food.
I want to be as strong as you.
I want to save money.
I want to keep busy.
I want to feel PROUD.
Please, will you teach me to garden?”
A simple nod and away he went.
Why do I garden?
Because of children like him
And the questions they bring.
I do not garden to feed my family,
I garden to nourish, strengthen, and educate my community.
Written by Chastine Lamoureux
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