After eight years of living in our house, we finally decided to use our garden area to grow food instead of the weeds we have grown every other year. I spent three days weeding, Jim spent a day tilling and we spent two full days planting. My wonderful father-in-law came and helped us get our garden planted so things would grow best. He and I spent a day planting tomatoes and carrots and then he came over to finish planting the rest. I have to say I am so grateful to have such a fabulous, wonderful father-in-law. He not only took two days out of his life and own garden to come help me with mine, he also taught me a very valuable lesson without even meaning to. A little background first... When we first started the garden the kids were bored. They decided to go out front and color with sidewalk chalk. I went out to check on them and was shocked at what I found.
Andrew was creating the solar system. At first I thought Jim had been helping him (his Earth was quite detailed, too much for him to do himself, I thought. Shows you what I know). He had done it all himself. I was amazed. Not that I don't know how smart my son is or that I didn't think he could do something like that on his own, I guess I was just surprised that he came up with the idea on his own and was working so hard at making it look just right. After a while they both wandered back to where we were and wanted to help. Now, I try to be a good Mom, but I have never claimed being a good Mom. I want to teach my kids things and want them to learn to work and certain lessons, but I was raised with a grandfather that always wanted to do things himself 'cause it was quicker and easier that way. That is a trait that I definitely inherited. I know that if I do something it will take five minutes instead of ten. Now, to the lesson...my father-in-law was more than enthusiastic when the kids wanted to help with the corn and green beans seed. He patiently showed them how to put the seeds in the holes and put the dirt over them. He helped them to take turns every other seed patch.
I was amazed 'cause I knew he had to be tired and I'm sure he knew it would be quicker if he just did it himself but he valued that time with his grand kids over the five minutes he might have saved. It taught me that I need to cherish the time and memories with my kids and not worry about how much longer it will take me to complete the project. I also realized that even though the way they do it isn't perfect, it doesn't make it wrong. I have to remember the saying 'practice makes perfect.' The more I let them help and do things the better they will become at doing that thing. I am grateful for my father-in-law and the many lessons he teaches me by example. I am also grateful for his patience, not only with the kids, but me in this gardening process. I'm so excited to see how it progresses through each stage and can't wait to eat the yummy vegetables!
