In our family life there is a wonderful experience that many people miss out on and do not take advantage of. It is a simple way to teach our children and grandchildren to love the earth and how much we get back from Mother Nature.
When we plant seeds, plants or trees with our children or grandchildren, we bring them closer to their roots and the understanding of the miracle of life.
I had the experience with my two older grandchildren of planting raspberries. We started with four plants and in a short time we had a field full of rich raspberries that they picked and ate with the pleasure of knowing that they were the fruits of their work. Some of my grandchildren are already adults and one of their most appreciated memories is the days when we sowed the seeds and then picked up those delicious fruits.
This is such a simple task that does not take much land to carry it out. In the last two years I have planted potted potatoes with my five-year-old granddaughter. Her face of satisfaction when she began to see the plants grow and when we took out the potatoes was priceless.
The benefits obtained from this experience are many. By sharing with them the love of the earth we help them to awaken awareness and knowledge of how much nature gives us. They learn to develop patience by observing the growth of plants, the importance of caring for and feeding plants to grow healthy and to understand that not all the time we are going to get fruits.
Without a doubt, planting is a therapeutic and enriching experience. It becomes a journey full of love and hope.
By María M. García, BA, MA
