All four of my grandparents were farmers in southeastern Georgia. They taught me the value of taking pride in a job well done. They tilled the land, fed their families and the families of people who worked for them, and raised and sold crops. They went to work from sun up to sun down, six days a week and didn’t whine about it. Their faith, their families, and their farms were their sources of comfort, community, and connection to deep and meaningful work. I try everyday to show the same humility and quiet dignity. Their genetic “echoes” are with me today in my love of tilling the soil, planting seeds, tending plants, and harvesting and sharing Earth’s bounty. Far from their farms in Georgia, I’ve chosen the path of helping professional–health & wellness coach and teacher. Because of Irene, Frank, Mattie, and Paul, I’m a gardener of the soil and the soul, always seeking ways to create containers in which people, plants, and the planet can thrive.
