As we enter the beginning of spring, I am thinking about planting a vegetable garden.

I haven’t had my own vegetable garden for many years. During 2020, we stayed in a home for about 10 months that had gardens other people planted and we harvested. That growing season was about discovery: what will come up next? Frequently, we were blown away. One time Kim found a beet that was bigger than a large grapefruit. Another time, we accidentally came upon potatoes and green onions. Then we discovered copious amounts of amaranth, a plant that is usually used as a grain, but we learned was also a delicious green! This was a magical time for us and much appreciated as COVID-19 had us staying home much more than usual.

California Poppies are one of the signs of spring here in my part of the world. They close up every night and during a cloudy day. Then, they open with the sun. These are springing up in my neighbor’s yard and cheer me up each morning as I watch them welcome the sun!

This year, we are stepping into the adventure of planting and cultivating our own garden. My self-empathy skills are coming in handy as I am tempted to give myself a hard time for not knowing enough, not doing enough, and not doing it fast enough or soon enough.

Can you relate to this?

I love it when I remember my inherent value is directly related to my existence, not what I do. And, certainly not to what I do well!

So I will plant my garden and do my very best to love the adventure and myself through it. I am especially thinking about a quote from Anne Lamott (one of my most favorite authors!) in her book, Almost Everything: Notes on Hope, which I am just finishing. Anne says:

“We are hardwired with curiosity inside us, because life knew
that this would keep us going even in bad sailing.”

Indeed, I shall venture to remain curious and enjoy the tiny moments and the tiny plant life that greets me each day…

Join me, and let us greet them together!