Yes Son, You Can Be a Gardener

But What Kind?

The author’s overgrown garden

The conversation went like this:

Son: I like that garden over there. That’s what I want to do when I grow up.

Father: Why?

Son: Because you get to grow things, eat things, and play in the dirt. Plus, you are outside all day long with constant water breaks.

Father: Wouldn’t you get lonely outside all day with just the plants?

Son: No. I can listen to music and pet the friendly dogs that walk by. Most conversation is not much fun. Besides, if I want conversation, the neighbors always want to talk.

Father: What do you think Mom will say?

Son: I’ll explain to her that she won’t have to buy lettuce or tomatoes unless, of course, she wants to buy them from me.

Father: What will she say about school?

Son: Gardening isn’t a full-time job, and with bad weather, I will have to come indoors and live like my friends. Like so many kids I know, I can learn things on my computer.

Father: That doesn’t sound like much education to me.

Son: Which are we talking about, Dad? Learning from home on my computer or learning outdoors? I think you are right that my friends won’t be getting much education. They won’t find learning fun. That will not be true about me. I will learn so much, and about things that I care to learn about.

Father: Well, if you are going to become a gardener, can we at least consider what type? What will your approach be? Will you have a strategy?

Son: “Strategy” sounds like a big word for growing some plants. What do you mean?

Father: Take a look at the garden across the street.

Garden across the street

Son: I see it. So what?

Father: What are some differences you note?

Son: One has energy and beauty in a wild kind of way. This one looks organized, has a structure, and is a lot taller.

Father: Aren’t you curious why the structure exists? What was that gardener thinking?

Son: Yes, kind of. That might be an example of a learning opportunity by doing it my way. Would I have to choose one of these two options?

Father: I just think that whether you become a gardener, or a scientist, or a teacher, or a musician, or whatever, you should always have a strategy.

Son: It doesn’t feel like we are talking about becoming a gardener anymore. Now it sounds like you are talking about my future, and success, and things that a twelve-year-old doesn’t want to think about.

Father: I was just thinking that this might help you become a better gardener and, on a practical level, get the order from Mom that you can do as you wish.

Son: Ok, but do I need to be prepared to answer questions like, “Will the garden be organic? Or is it just for us? Or how much will it cost to set up?”

Father: Well, if you answer those questions, you will show yourself to be very prepared. I think we’ve learned that you can never be too prepared.

Son: Just like we’ve learned, there are different ways to become educated. I think I’ve decided to go for the combo garden — wild and organized at the same time. To use a word that you will like, it will be a “hybrid.”

Silence…

Son: Gotta go, Dad… now I am busy executing what you call “The strategy.”

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Author’s note: I am getting ready to work on a series of “musings” for our children that will eventually make their way into a book, “Keep Your Chin Up and Your Heart Open.” This might be a piece I include—the nature of how we learn, the strength to go alternative ways, and the way we explore these topics with the adults in our lives.