Mon Jardin!

There is something about planting a garden and watching it grow when it is given three simple things; soil, water, and light. All I have to do is facilitate the circumstances. The sun rises every morning and does it's job. The soil is always there, but the water has to be harnessed and given correctly. My neighbor who is a WWII hero will be 90 this weekend and is an amazing gardener. He has taught me everything I know, including the importance of furrows that correctly channel the water around the base of the plant. I had two zuchini plants that were given identical circumstances except one was flourishing and the other was scrawny and not growing any zuchinis. When I asked my neighbor why, he pointed out that the scrawny plants' furrow had eroded and was being flooded by water every time I watered, so it did not have to grow strong deep roots in search of water. Both plants were given the same amounts of water, but one was being given water too easily and did not have to work for it. I got a little choked up when he explained why because I was not planning on getting a life lesson at that moment, but it was so poignant. The message seemed very applicable to my life and also to raising my children. I hope I can find the balance in giving my kids what they need but also facilitating opportunity for growth throughout their formative years. I have a feeling it is going to be tricky.