Grandma's Garden

I promised that the garden would be open today.  I wrote it in chalk on the outer wall.  I could not disappoint them.  The triple digits registering on the thermometer could not deter me.

If only I had remembered to bring my water bottle.

I met the kindergarteners in the cafeteria, exchanged hugs and high fives with the third grade as they came in, and walked back to the garden.  By the time I had opened the umbrella and used the key to turn on the water, in came the third grade garden leaders, with some friends in tow.

What can we do?  That's a good question given that the soil is much too hot to host new life.  The weeds are deeply entrenched; not a great first project of the year.  But I remembered that the Much Adored Principal asked me that morning if my water was on.  They are so hot out there.  Did she mind if they got wet?  No... with a smile... Actions have consequences.   

With approved water play in mind, the garden leader on the left if filling watering cans for the girls who are using foam brushes to paint the bricks.

Don't ask me why they love this, but they do.  

The gardener who saved the marigold seeds last year wanted a real job.  I sent her into The Forbidden Zone to collect the rest of the watering cans and arrange them along the fence, spacing them as she pleased.

By the time the 5th grade arrived, I was hot and dirty and thirsty and very happy.  Once they determined that there was nothing to be done in the way of gardening, they took up the chant.  

Wet us! Wet us! 

Everyone looking for a soaking gathered outside the garden gate, behind which the hose and nozzle with its twelve settings and I held court.  Did they remember the rules?  

No complaining about being wet.  

No asking the nurse for dry clothing.  

And so began the deluge.  Varying the setting from shower to mist, I waved my magic wand.  The social worker strolled over to say hello; I stopped watering and began hugging her.  The wet ones begged for more.  Hang on.  I need my hug. 

After years on our Kind Campus, they understand the power of a hug and the value of friendship.  They waited, respectfully.    

We weren't long and the shower continued until their whistle blew and then they were gone. 

I picked up some random trowels and turned off the water.  I closed the umbrella.  I took a look behind me as I closed the gate.

The weeds were still there.  The beds were bare of anything but one stubborn something.

But it felt a lot fuller than when I arrived.  It's good to be back.