On Wednesday I gave birth to my first baby seedling. Her name is Sarafina Spinach. When I was planting the seeds it was pretty unimaginable to think those seemingly dead seeds that looked like dry specks of dust and dirt would flower into life sustaining green plants. Yesterday my daddy caught me staring at the Eager Cabbage family. It took them only one day to germinate. He was like: “What are you doing?” I was just caught in wonderment at the mystery of creation, the beauty of life. Imagine, at one point I was a seed among many in a sack of my father. Planted in the fertile fluids of my mother’s womb I flowered.
When I got seeds a week ago I also purchased small seedlings that were grown in a local nursery. The day after I brought them home, the plants doubled in size. I was amazed. A friend of mine told me the plants were like animals in a pound: once they find an owner they take on a new outlook on life; their personalities blossom. The plants talk and feel and interact with the energy around them.
On Wednesday I transplanted the large seedlings into bigger pots. They grew so big and fast they out grew the small pots I brought them home from the nursery in. I still had a few things to do to prepare the bed. Later that day I noticed the plants looking droopy. A few leaves on the lettuce plants started to slump over like an exhausted marathon runner. I thought I was killing them. Another friend of mine told me not to worry. He said the plants just needed a bit of time to catch themselves. Moving to a new home for them was a mildly traumatic experience, and they had to settle in. He assured me they were not dead. They are like little people. I love it.
This is the same friend who helped me to nail the wood together to frame up the bed. He is a man of many trades and talents, and no stranger to farming. When he saw me digging around in the dirt barefoot with my bare hands looking as though I knew what I was doing and enjoying it he was so surprised, on many levels. He was so inspired he said he could marry me off to one of his sons.
When I came home last night I wanted to rush outside to check on the children. I stopped myself, thinking, perhaps they need some space too. After all, I was up in their face all day. I decided to go to bed instead.
I am so thankful for this joyful gift.