There is something about the verdant green of the grass on a cloudy morning after a late spring rain. The contrast of the different hues of green in the blades of grass glistening with moisture and the saturated darkening of the sandy soil beneath is unique and comforting. From my perch on the front porch, as I lift my gaze upward from ground level, there is another layer of complimentary greens and darker grays in the canopy of the trees in the front pasture and surrounding property.
There is healing here surrounded by all this lushness. Much as the the water nourishes the grass and trees, so too my soul is refreshed as I think about how hard we worked over the years to reclaim these pastures from the sand and pine trees. The hard work of clearing the trees, pushing up and burning debris piles, and grinding stumps. How many times did we disk and drag the ground? How many pounds of grass seed and fertilizer did we spread? In the end, it was as one old timer told us: “it just takes several years to get it established.”
Now, after several years, we have nice grass - both for the horses and for us to enjoy. But, as with all things on a farm and in life, it also takes work to maintain. The mowing season has officially begun, and it is time to put out fertilizer. These activities make me think of you and all the care and love that you poured into this farm and our lives. I feel your presence with me when I am on the mower.
And just as the grass grows and thrives from these routine maintenance activities, so it is with my grieving heart. The passage of time and the repetition of daily routines and on-going seasonal activities on the farm are both comforting and life-affirming; like water and nutrients nourishing the soul.
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