It Takes A Village

They say that it takes a village to raise a child and I wholeheartedly agree.  It also appears that in our case, it takes a village to properly finish household projects. :) Last summer, over beer, John and I decided that it would be great to carve out a little space next to the sandbox for Nina to play and for us to sit and ponder our days away. John lovingly dug and dug...but alas fall came and the checkbook was bare. No wall or patio ...yet. This past weekend, spurred by our imminent move and fear of liability to renters, he and our awesome friend of a friend and professional, Brian, knocked out patio and wall in a matter of hours.  The finished product is a place that I would love to be able to love and soften all summer. My instant thoughts went to what little trees and plants and vines I could surround the stone with. Butterfly bush ad maples, daisies and black-eyed susans leaning over to catch the late sun as my daughter's sandy feet dangle. Mmmm... Alas, I will have to wait, as this space will not be ours again until next year. And so it sinks in that I will not be here to plant my garden, tend my chickens or prune the lilacs next year...and yet it is okay. Leaving is actually making me appreciate how simple and good our little life here has been. I am so thankful for this time and this space that we have made.  We are called to more important endeavors than building a fence or adopting worms from a neighbor, and I must honor that. Most importantly I must honor that I am needed elsewhere...to be a support to others rather than just a lazy schoolteacher looking forward to summer days.  I am needed as a daughter and a wife and a mother right now.  It is in that giving that I will grow while I am away, just as my garden will grow while I am away. Please keep my mom in your thoughts this week...