Where would they stay until they were ready to be on their
own? I needed to be sure they are safe and comfortable. They have been kept in the dark so long. This
must be a shock for them. I needed to select the location guardedly. Finally it
hit me, the guest room! Afterall, how could they not like our guest room? They
are our guests, honored guests at that. It is bright, cozy, has immediate
access to the facilities and prior guests have had no complaints regarding the selection
of furnishings. Perhaps they too would find this a salubrious accommodation. I
realize they have all the real work to do here but I have tried to make this relatively
easy for them.
The packaging is smooth and shiny. The boxes have sat neatly
stacked for weeks in the corner, just waiting for this fateful day. I carefully
spread the newspapers onto the cool concrete of the garage and began to lay out
the individual seed packages. Cautiously, I unwrapped the heating pad, self
watering container and assembled the grow light. I selected a narrow, low table
in which I would arrange the pots. I positioned it carefully so they would have
a clear view of the windows and natural sun. I put the mat down, made sure they
had plenty of water in case they were thirsty and I even gave them a warming
blanket.
The first real step to making this a reality was hydrating
the soil pellets. Carefully measuring, pouring, mixing and pressing I began to
fill the seed containers. Ever so gently I placed seeds into each container.
Although it may not seem such a big deal, I must confess, at 42, some of those
tiny seeds seems impossibly small to see much less handle. Never the less I
pushed on until all the containers and pots were filled. Some smooth round
seeds like BBs, others looked smaller than a tiny flea. Some of those seeds I
swear were put in that package as a joke to see if I would even notice there
was anything in there. Still I planted, and there were a few curse words as I
dropped the seed package with the smallest seeds and could only guess they must
have all scattered to the four winds.
Finally, I covered each little seedling with a fine layer of
topsoil and gave them each a spritz of water much like a small child at
bedtime. Lovingly I carried them to their appointed location in the downstairs
bedroom. I placed the cover over the container and bid them a good day. Oh
yeah, I left the light on just in case they were afraid of the dark. You never
know.
Now, I wait and watch. And each day as I check on those
young seeds I will utter a prayer of hope for each of them. It will go
something like, please help them reach their full potential, let them raise
their tender heads above the adversity of the soil and help them thrive. And
with that small prayer I will spritz them with water and make sure they are filled
with light and warmth.
Funny, this little garden project reminds me more each day
of raising my children. Matthew and I carefully
select the location that will be most suitable for raising them. We prepare the
soil, environment, for their growth. We even check on them periodically and find
ourselves leaving the light on just in case they are afraid of the dark. And
with each day we utter the prayer that they will achieve their full potential. Like
the little seeds of my garden, I wait and watch closely as our children and
garden begins to take bloom. I find myself excited to see the changes and
developments of each new day. I cheer for them and the work we put into them. And I am sure I will feel a tad of disappointment for those that fail to thrive. But, there is one predilection I must confess. Unlike the children that I am obligated to see through to the end, if the seedlings
give me one ounce of backtalk, they are out of here!
Happy Gardening!
