LESSONS LEARNED

“Gotta get them tree stumps out, and the rocks h’ve gotta go too. Plant’n season’s almost come and gone and we’ve still gotta harrow the hard ground.” “Gramps, can’t we just leave the old stumps and the rocks around them? They won’t be in the way. Besides, it’s too much work for just an old vegetable garden.” “No, Son, that’ll never do. There’s lessons to be learned in a garden. Plow’n fields much like livin’ life. You can spend your time skirting ‘round your troubles, Son, just like them tree stumps and rocks—you’ve just gotta get rid of things in the way. Go get the shovels—we’ll work on it together.” So Gramps and I spent the day getting out the stumps and stones. It was hard work lifting those rocks, and the roots of the old trees went clear to China. But somehow I just knew that Gramps was right—gotta get rid of things in the way.
“Gotta make them furrows straight, Son.” “But, Gramps, can’t we just hurry and get the job done? Like you said, ‘Plant’n season’s almost come and gone’—and we’re still work’n the fields.” “No, Son, that’ll never do. There’s lessons to be learned in a garden. Them rows h’ve gotta be straight so’s the water can run free. Son, you’ve gotta be straight too, so’s your life can be free. Now go get the plow—we’ll work on it together.” So Gramps and I spent the day making sure the furrows in the field were straight. It was hard work but somehow I just knew that Gramps was right—gotta live life straight and narrow in order to be free.
“Son, gotta plant them seeds and irrigate the fields today.” “But Gramps, I’m too tired from all this work. Can’t it wait ‘till tomorrow? “No, Son, gotta plant today. Gettin’ late in the season and there’s lessons to be learned in the garden. Plant’n seeds today will bring the harvest in the fall. Go get them seeds and we’ll plant ‘em together.” So Gramps and I spent the rest of the day planting seeds. It was hard work and my back hurt real bad but, by this time, I knew a lesson was coming. So I pulled the check from the ditch and watched the water flow evenly along the straight furrows. “Son, life’s so much like a garden. You’ll only reap what ya sow. If ya want somethin’ in the end, ya gotta plant somethin’ in the beginning.” I knew Gramps was right. There’s lessons to be learned in a garden!