Faith restored.

I sulked yesterday. I fumed. I designed elaborate garden protection systems involving moats and innocent looking bunnies equipped with lasers and razor sharp bunny teeth, strategically positioned among the pumpkins. I checked and rechecked the rows of beets, carrots and potatoes. I eyed every passerby with suspicion as they strolled past the garden.

And then I let go.

They were brussel sprouts. We’ll buy some at the farmers market this year instead of getting them out of the garden. We won’t go hungry. I probably won’t even die from a vitamin deficiency today. I was just mad. And hurt. And feeling victimized. And mad. Yes. Really, really mad.

But, as Michelle pointed out, “for every one that tries to take your faith in people away, there are a hundred in the wings ready to restore it”. True enough.

I left the garden yesterday with a bag full of produce. Green peppers and zucchini, cucumbers and yellow crook neck squash. All gifts from a kind gardener in a neighboring plot who had extra and wanted to share. We talked about garden thieves and how disappointing and upsetting it is to see your harvest plundered, and we laughed about how he, now in his late sixties has chased big young guys out of his garden and down the path, hollering after them and shaking his shovel. We swapped favorite weird recipes. Mine: Pickled beets, onions, and cheddar cheese on a Ritz cracker. His: Peanut butter and bacon. Shudder. We talked about the weather, the bugs and the weeds. About kids these days, zucchini recipes and how to take care of a good shovel (rub oil on the blade at the end of every gardening season).

Every time he looked down at his watch, he’d say, “Well, I oughta get going. But, seeing as yer out here, how’s about you take another zucchini?” We’d load another one or two into the bag and get on to talking about something else.

I left with my bag heavy but my heart light.

On my way home, I started to remember all of the gifts and kindesses that I have received from others over the years. The packet of carrot seeds from a fellow bus rider who I had talked to about fall planting. Two beautiful heads of lettuce from a neighboring gardener a few weeks ago. A bag of rhubarb. Kids clothes. The return of my checkbook found in the parking lot of the farmer’s market. The return of my wallet. Twice. And then the unbelievable kindness of my friends and family. That list is endless.

In sheer weight, I brought home more yesterday than what was taken out of our garden. But on another level, I was given way more than what was taken away.

Thank you.