We made it!

Two weeks ago the garden build started.   We spent six days, over 12 hours a day, with our teens.   We had a weekend and then started six hour days, for five days with our middle schoolers.   That ended yesterday and today we had our recycling event.   And so this fifteen day journey has come to and end and we made it.  

For two weeks prior to starting, I was having nightmares.    I had no idea how this would ever get done.   I would sit in the living room in the wee hours mentally going over lists.   Had we thought of? Could we afford? What about? How would we?    Over and over the questions and lists would run.   

We entered and worked this build in the heat and humidity.    I don’t know if I have ever sweat as much or been as dirty as the past two weeks.   I also don’t think I have ever eaten as many ice pops!    

Our high school teens surprised us each and every day with the work they did and the progress they made.    Everyday they exceeded our expectations.    It was to the point I was concerned we didn’t have enough to keep our middle schoolers busy.  

 At the end of that crazy build, six teens asked if they could come back this week and work with our middle schoolers to continue the project!  They were amazing role models, peer leaders, to the younger kids.    They explained the garden and gave them a tour.  They worked with them every day explaining what had to be done and how to do it.  It was so great to watch them work together.  

Our middle school kids brought energy and enthusiasm as the chaperones were fading.   They made us laugh and they kept us guessing.   They worked hard.  And they kept talking about “how fun Church was”.  They liked the various types of prayers.   They didn’t mind the grunt work cause they “knew we would play games after and have fun”.    They included each other and worked as a team.  

Today YNIA and YIA came together for the recycling event.   YNIA provided the muscle and the guidance.   YIA provided the energy and enthusiasm.   There were times the enthusiasm needed to be harnessed, such as running in front of moving cars.    But again they worked as a team.   They calculated what was owed.   They hauled what needed to be.   They made me smile and they made me laugh.   They loved the line of cars backing up.   “We have Customers”.   They moved from one station to another when called on.   

Now that this 15 days has come to and end, I am so grateful.   The sleepless nights, the nightmares, the sweat and the grime were all worth it.    In this time of pandemic, these two weeks with “my kids” were incredibly worth it.     Mentally I am better for being with them.    Emotionally, I am lifted from spending time with them.   

In April when we found out our trip was cancelled, I started to grieve.   Deacon C asked immediately what are we doing if we can’t go away.    Best question ever.   One of the silver linings of this pandemic has been the building and fruition of our Parish Prayer Garden.  Our parish supported us and stood behind us.   Our Pastor gave us permission to run with it.   And now we have a lasting memorial of the pandemic of 2020.   We have a beautiful prayer garden for all in our community.   It was the best two weeks of this pandemic.