Dear Natural Teachers,

As we enter into the holiday season, I reflect how this season is not always filled with joy and happiness for all. I know a few friends who have experienced great loss and others who are struggling with incredible hardships. I am blessed; however, I too, sometimes feel my heart ache a little during this time. It is my garden that always brings me back to a place of gratitude.

The weather this past weekend was unusually mild. It allowed me to dig in my vegetable garden alongside my mom, who was in town for my birthday. We used the “Newspaper Method” (newspaper with compost on top) to prepare the soil for next season . Like always we both left this experience feeling an inner peace. Joy.  We were quite pleased with ourselves, our work and felt the act of digging in the dirt incredibly invigorating. What is it about Dirt?

My mother describes gardening as “magic.” She lights up when she characterizes her composted dirt as “Black Magic”. My friend Diane once told me, “Dirt is the great equalizer.” Gandhi notes, “To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.”

I am eternally thankful for my garden and the insurmountable gifts it gives me in return. My hope is for every child, in every school, to have access to this type of Outdoor Classroom experience. Tending the earth is magic. Let’s plant seeds of hope togehter. Check out our new e-course  at: https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/e-course/ called Teaching in the Dirt: Designing Outdoor Classrooms.

From my garden to yours, I wish you a Happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Cheers,

Victoria