Building Character

Working with kids on our Cordova Community Garden for Wildlife (CCGW) is something like making delicious pot of stone soup. In the fable about stone soup, the villagers contributed and the end result was a delicious pot of soup. Our pot of soup is a concoction of grandmothers, young people, volunteers and neighbors adding a delightful mixture of character that will leave a lasting taste in our lives.

Character was our word for the day this week. As the youth meet and add their flavor or character to the pot, two grandmas, Joyce and Norma, appreciate help from volunteers like Fran, future teacher, and our neighbor Eli. We input into the lives of each other and watch as various character traits are revealed. We realize that how we respond to the youth may flavor their lives forever. Our project may not have a "professional" look but it is mixed with wisdom from God and love for your young people.

Yesterday, as I talked to the neighbor who gives us access to his water, his large friendly dog, Judy (brown) who was on a chain, got out. Judy loves to play, and when she stands up on her hind legs, her large mouth with those big teeth and huge tongue meet my face. As I looked in the dogs face, the neighbor hurried to pull her away from me from me and back into the fenced yard.

Even though some of the kids love to play with the dog, they also realized this grandma might suffer broken bones if knocked down by the dog. A defensive mode sprang up in them to defend me against Judy. The kids were showing a protective character.

On this day as we planted wildflower seeds, laid mulch and dug up weeds, we witnessed seeds of character sprouting up in our young people. An old African proverbs says, "It takes a village to raise a child." As the villagers contributed what they had to the pot, the result was a delicious pot of soup. We continue to add flavor to the lives of our youth and each other.