It is done. Not the large tunnel, not the outdoor garden, not the small tunnel, not the flower beds — all of it. Everything. Done. In one day from green and growing to clean for sowing.
The sun warmed the still air. People showed up by 10 a.m. By noon, three of us had dumped multiple wheelbarrows of sticks and stems onto the compost heap.
Tires crunching on the driveway cued my move to greet another family member or friend. Gloves and rakes in hand, this crew was ready to work. And, work they did.
Even before the sun hit the horizon, you could see the first good frost of the season arrived overnight. I stayed under the quilts in my warm nest as long as I could with the cat snuggled next to me. The floor felt icy as I waited for water to boil in the electric tea pot.
“What am I going to do today?”
Before I expound on the commitments and newfound purpose of my life I mentioned last week, let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus.
Twenty, maybe more, people showed up on Saturday after a stressful week of concern over the amount of work needed to put the gardens to rest, repair the hail damage to the high tunnels, and clean up the lawn before snowfall. Even that sentence wears me out. Much less the work involved. With JC’s back injury and my waning upper body strength, I felt overwhelmed.
I needed some help. But, why would family, friends, and church friends spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon outdoors in the dust in return for a bowl of chili or borscht?
Without even thinking about it, these folks became God’s purpose for all of us, that is to love one another. In my mind the greatest example of Jesus in the flesh.
I have been a member of Charity Lutheran Church for about 40 years. The only thing I have ever done in my life longer is breathe. When I need to feel loved, I go to church. I am accepted just the way I am.
Traveling as an artist, teaching classes, and holding various jobs, many people have come in and out of my life over the years. Some are surprised to find out I am so dedicated to the church that I used to have JC take me to the shore on Sunday mornings so I could attend worship services rather than spend time around the campfire.
Asking for help from anyone for anything can be difficult and humbling. I don’t deserve the kind of kindness and love poured out on us this past Saturday. But, it is His purpose. If we can’t weed out any other purpose to our lives, let it be this, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” Not my words, but His.
Between the days I struggle with side effects from cancer drugs, the stress of a weakening aging body, and JC’s recovering from a back injury, I know I have to let go of the way life used to be and embrace a new way. This includes slowing down and spending more time dedicated to my purpose in life.
Today, my heart is full of gratitude for JC’s family, our friends, and my church family for lifting a huge burden from our shoulders. Oh, and thanks to my daughter’s sister-in-law’s family for purchasing and installing security cameras as the final act of a blessed Saturday at The Root Sellers farm.
I’m not sure what to do today. My heart is so full it’s pushing out tears.
Sunshine has dried the frosted grass so maybe I will watch the leaves let go and drift with them down to the earth to rest.
PS: My next CT scan from neck to pelvis is Friday, Oct. 18 at 9:15 a.m.
INDYchildrendotme 
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