(Below is the last page of Paul Fleischman's wonderful book called Seedfolks):
"Like the ancient Egyptians, we recognize that contact with nature can heal. Hours after the 9/11 attacks in New York, scores of people were standing in wait for the gates of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to open. The city's public gardens waived admission fees and were thronged with those seeking solace and serenity. In the uprush of altruism, we also saw that a sense of community-that we are known, that we care, that we will be cared for- provides an even greater solace.
I sense that we all have hidden stores of generosity that find no outlet except in such moments of disaster. This was the marvel of the community gardens I visited. There were oases in the urban landscape of fear, places where people could safely offer trust, helpfulness, charity, without need of an earthquake or hurricane. Television, I'm afraid, has isolated us more than race, class, or ethnicity. Community gardens are places where people rediscover not only generosity, but the pleasure of coming together. I salute all those who give their time and talents to rebuilding that sense of belonging. It's a potent seed. "I have great faith in a seed," wrote Thoreau. "Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders."
Community gardening in the Walnut Neighborhood has brought about some delightful events with neighbors this summer.
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| Salsa making with neighbors using veggies grown in the garden. |
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| A lovely tea party that came about after meeting a charming group of young girls who have been coming to the garden all summer with their daycare provider to water the beautiful flowers. |
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