The Gardener
Lake Charlevoix, northern Michigan from the Boyne City side
Unsheltered, we shiver
Exposed, we fear
Omitted, we weaken
Disregarded, we cower within
And then, a gardener appears
We do not ask for their help, yet they return every day
Their core intention is our care
Daily they arrive on our doorstep, just for us
Not to preach, neither to instruct, nor to guide
But rather to be present, totally free from contract, and without expectation
To sit beside us
To walk with us
To hold our hand
To bear witness to our experience
To remain, and never-ever leave us, no matter what
Their tenderness is a warmth, a sweetness, and a nurture we have never known
Again and again their touch breathes new life into us; we strengthen
Our stature heightens, we gain resilience, we straighten
Our core confidence beanstalks, we shoot skyward with fury, and our bloom gleams brightly for all the world to see
Their only verbalized speak is a single simple but paramount phrase; they say to us, “I am here for you”
The gardener arrives whenever they are needed, or wanted, or even thought of
They come fully prepared for the upcoming rays of the day’s vibrant sun
They sit silently to pluck some weeds
Tend to the wilting all around them
And turn on the hose- every now and then
While the while it must be said, that the gardener is no agent from beyond
The gardener, does not provide the light
The gardener, does assemble the soil
The gardener, does not design the flowerbeds
The gardener is not camouflaged as the seed, about to be buried in the ground
The gardener is not dressed up and humming some phony tune as a fake buzzing bee
The gardener brings no tools; the gardener does not own, any tools
Tonight I feel quite humble, a moderate level of emotional, and rather hopeful regarding my position alongside the rest of humanity
Something feels remarkably powerful
A curiosity has arisen
A new opportunity has presented itself
An awareness has stepped boldly out from its own shadow, and into the light
Because this connection, this one right here- between YOU and ME, this is where it begins…this is the only place from where it can begin
And this is the only place from where it can grow
Of perhaps of all my lived lessons, most strongly I believe that only in the arms of others do we truly live
So, to summarize, here within this spectacular staged setting, thank you for showing up
Yours is an action speaking far louder than any spoken word, or musical note ever could
Thank you because we do not do this alone, alas we CANNOT do this alone
Thank you for behaving kindly
Thank you for your patience
Thank you for your understanding,
And thank you for your empathy
Thank you for being part of my world
And thank you for allowing me, to be part of yours.
