Four years ago
When we were planning the first Good News Easter Egg Hunt
We didn’t have a lot of children in our congregation.
So we encouraged everyone to invite
Their grandchildren
And great-grandchildren
And neighbor’s children
And friend’s children.
And they did.
Two families from Wichita have come home every year.
So I was elated
When Elliott and Kristina
Began making plans to bring Henry & Harper
Here for their first Easter.
Traveling with twin 8 month old babies
Is brave to say the least.
But they have been amazingly relaxed parents.
Last Saturday afternoon
We gathered in the garden.
Many of these children have been coming every year.
They are very comfortable in my garden
And respectful.
They know they are welcome to wonder through it all
As long as they stay on the path.
They can even leave their name in chalk.
Fewer and fewer each year are concerned about
Ladybugs crawling up their arms.
This year one child even made my
“Why do we release ladybugs in the garden” speech spontaneously for me.
Sloan realized that we were a bit deprived
In the signage department
And convinced her mom to fix that problem.
As more children have come to our church
Our numbers have grown.
It’s common to have three generations of families come.
Sometimes even four.
Which is why I was thrilled when
My uncle George dropped by
To meet Harper & Henry.
George is the last of my father’s 12 siblings.
It was a poignant moment to see them together.
The past meeting the future.
Gardens have always been a gathering place
A place of reflection
A place to pass along knowledge
And wisdom.
Generations of life happen in a garden.
I’m so pleased that some of those memories
Are being made each Easter
In my garden.
Gail
Thank you for this personal indulgence. I promise to get to serious gardening next week!
In My Garden 