GROWING IN A GARDEN
“By God, you’re tall! Did they grow you in a garden?”
These were the words of my new dance mate on the cruise ship this week, when all 5’9” of me stood to say “yes” to his first invitation to the dance floor.
Three days later, I love this question still. Even more, I’ve enjoyed ruminating on my thoughts that this question evoked.
Why yes! Yes they did grow me in a garden!
Food and water, oxygen and sunlight.
And between the plush and cushy growing conditions, the periods of drought made me yearn for, and appreciate, the potential for more fertile soil.
How would I be getting home from school today?
Would the girls make fun of my shoes again today?
When would my mom be home from work today?
The word “and” was given to me as a gift from my 2nd grade teacher.
“You are smart, Lynn, AND you are worthy.”
“This work wasn’t up to your standard AND this is how you can make it better.”
“Things happen in the world AND we will get through them together.”
“And” versus “but”. Yes, words changed my life!
Yes, drought AND water.
Yes, famine AND abundance.
Yes, driest of dirt AND the promise of more fertile soil some day…
Why yes, my new dance mate, I’m thankful to be so tall AND for having been ‘grown in a garden’!
Growing in a Garden by Lynn Sherwood
