Heart of the Garden

Here is a thing I think we need. And by “we” I probably mean me. And maybe a handful of people who care about the dirt around them and the things that grow in it.

That thing is: Garden Therapy Affirmation Counselors. GTAC?

You know that feeling of affirmation when someone else recognizes a special plant in your garden? Not just something charismatic and accessible, but something that is special because it has a purpose? It was put their with great intention by you and you went out of your way, far beyond some big box store, to put this special plant in that exact spot, that spot that is the cross section of so many factors: sunlight, moisture, soil structure, associations with local fauna, connections to friends in the surrounding plant community. And all those crosshatching points meet at this singular little organism and FINALLY someone comes along with the knowledge and experience to actually see those threads (You SEE them! You see my work, you see my SOUL!) and they let you know that you done good.

That is real. That is everything.

Can we formalize that? Can that be a thing? Can I volunteer to be on the neighborhood GTAC committee? I will come to your garden and I will heap praise on you just for caring about your dirt, heck, just for KNOWING that there is dirt. If you care about plants, no matter what they are, no matter how much you know or don’t know, I will praise you for not being willfully plant blind. And if your garden is a mess, I will heap more praise on that plant love salad and slather it in appreciation because you are creating habitat. And if you don’t hate dandelions, I will appreciate you. And if you even say the word “pollinator” I will appreciate you. And if you notice a bird, I will appreciate you. All of these things are valuable and they are real work that should be appreciated. I want to formally thank you for lifting your vision above what’s normal or just acceptable and for seeing the millions of threads that connect you to the dirt, the dandelions, and the whole darn earth. I see you. I appreciate you.