Gifts

The garden has been offering up lettuce and herbs for weeks now, but Friday I was able to harvest the first radishes and a few peppers as I tried to put the raised beds in order for a two-week lapse in serious attention. Pulling out bolted lettuce, thinning and rearranging over-crowded and over-shaded broccoli and pepper plants to give the tomato plants the free reign they demand, I was overwhelmed with the bounty not only of the garden, but of friendships. Friends will be looking out for the garden —watering, pinching, harvesting gifts— both at school and at home on our garage roof; friends will be tending to the mail and looking after the cat; friends have offered all kinds of gifts, from exchanging currency, providing us with guide books and maps, penlights, a ride to the airport, handcrafted jewelry, and treasures brought back from travels just concluded. Mainly, we've received well wishes and excitement, bon voyage, buen viaje, adieu, god speed, be safe, no worries—be happy, as we frantically packed and readied to depart. We feel loved. A good way to leave home for a sojourn, bearing the bounty of the world.