Good Soil

This week our area experienced a window of let up from the rain and "polar northwest" temps long enough for me to start getting the garden beds ready. It felt really good to yank up the weeds and clean things up in general. I thought about rallying the kids and "assigning" garden work, but I have found a much surer way to get them to gravitate out there....I simply put on my gardening shoes and gloves, grab a bucket and announce, "I'm going to work in the garden." Initially, I spend a bit of time alone (and solitude is never unwelcome), but eventually, they begin to come looking for me....and then it gets good. I don't know why, but there is something about kneeling down next to their mom pulling weeds that brings out the heart conversation in my kids. First one will come for a while and talk about things they are struggling with--then another. "When will I ever grow taller--I'm the smallest kid in my class..." "Why do you think this friend isn't texting me like they used to...I miss them and am worried that something is wrong." One after another, the contents of their hearts are spilled out and sorted through while I listen and offer comfort, advice, or simply an ear. All the while, I am amazed at how the process of getting my garden soil ready is working the "soil" of my kids' hearts....
When I finally stand up, dust off my clothes and put my bucket away, I know I've weeded out more than a few garden beds....I feel like a better mom.