Ian Love-Jones is an educator, and a leader at both Golden Rule #28 and Peninsula #128 in Oregon. He is a published poet and the author of Three Links Hijinks: An Odd Fellow’s Joke Book.
Readers, who among you has ever tended a garden? For those less familiar with planting and raising crops here are a few common labors tied to gardening. You amend the soil, mixing in nutrient rich compost. Part of enriching the soil is tilling it, loosening the ground so the seeds, water, and eventually the roots can move easily. Then as you place your seeds, or starts into the earth you carefully space them to allow each one the right amount of room to grow. After a nourishing shower of water, the watching begins. On your watch, you’ll make sure that what you’ve planted isn’t too dry (or too wet, depending on the crop). You’ll try to notice and prevent damage from pests. You’ll root out weeds that would smother roots, block sun, or steal nutrients. And you’ll look for the right color-shades, and qualities that signal the plants are happy, healthy, and eventually ready to bear fruit.
After the right amount of consistent nurturing you’ll finally find yourself ready to reap a harvest. In a wonderful display of mutualism, your plants will provide for you as you have provided for them. Well done! Now, let’s reflect. For things to take root and to flourish, which of the steps I’ve named included stating the importance of gardening. How often did you declare aloud that “gardening is a cherished practice” in order for the fruits to leap up?
Family, this small essay is about friendship. Our words do have great power to remind us of our values and goals. But with that said, it is the quiet and consistent work of nurturing that leads to the fruits of the harvest. We sew, protect, and nurture the seeds of trust and connection. And we do that by checking in, rooting out discord, providing safety in stormy times, offering nourishing interactions, and allowing the right amount of space (opportunity) for things to grow. The fruits of our quiet work make the loudest statement. And those fruits are the genuine and lasting bonds of friendship.
What seeds will you plant and nurture today?
