This blog post is dedicated to the mothers and grandmothers who taught us to plant, cultivate, conserve and compost before it was trendy. We are grateful for women and their innumerable contributions to our world.
Growing up on a small farm in Guatemala was an experience that shaped my life and my connection to the natural world. My mother and grandmother were the driving forces behind this way of life, introducing me to the art of cultivating and the magic of watching a tiny seed transform into a bountiful harvest. Together, we planted peppers, onions, tomatoes, and spearmint that were staples in our daily meals. It wasn't just about growing food, it was about learning the lessons that the land had to offer.
One of the most important lessons that I learned during those seasons was about patience. It takes time and effort to plant a seed, nurture it, and watch it grow. It's easy to get discouraged when you don't see immediate results, but my mother and grandmother taught me that patience is a virtue. They showed me that if you take care of the soil, the plants will grow strong and healthy. And when the time is right, you'll have a bountiful harvest.
Another lesson that I learned was about gratitude. When you grow your own food, you have a deep appreciation for the earth and all the hard work that goes into producing it. I learned to be grateful for the rain that nourished our crops, for the sun that gave them energy, and for the insects that pollinated them. I also learned to be grateful for the people who worked alongside me, my family and the community. We worked together to ensure that we had enough food to eat and share.
Finally, I learned about death. This may seem like a strange lesson to learn on a farm, but it's an important one. Inevitably, some plants will die before they reach maturity. It's a reminder that life is fragile and fleeting. But even in death, there is beauty. We composted the plants that didn't make it, returning their nutrients to the soil to nourish the next generation of plants. It was a cycle of life and death that taught me to appreciate every moment and to value the gifts that the earth has to offer.
As I reflect on my upbringing, I realize how fortunate I was to have strong, resilient women in my life who taught me the value of cultivating and the importance of respecting and caring for the earth. It wasn't until later in life that I realized how ahead of their time they were. Long before it was trendy, they were composting, conserving, and cultivating a sustainable way of life. They did it out of necessity, but also out of love for the earth and for future generations.
In honor of National Women's History Month, I want to celebrate all the mothers and grandmothers who taught us to plant, cultivate, conserve, and compost. They are the unsung heroes who have shaped our relationship with the earth and have inspired us to care for our planet. Let's honor their legacy by continuing to cultivate a sustainable future for all.
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