Our grade school students have the good fortune of participating in a horse program that is held at a teacher’s home. Recently, our Rose Rock School community joined joyful forces to clear a pasture for the horses. This was a very Life as the Curriculum day! It was so beautiful and heartwarming–poetry seems the best way to describe the wonders of many hands making light work.
More grazing room for horses, that’s the goal–ultimately.
So many cedar trees, with limbs resting languidly upon the ground–no grass there.
The arrival of many folks–elders and youngsters, of various strengths and skill sets.
All of us breathing out the cold, condensed fog of the chilled morning.
All of us sharing a vision.
All day a dozen souls join in one effort, quizzically connected through twelve individual motions.
Somebody saws a limb; another person places the limb in the fire; somebody scaffolds the children’s endeavors to clear a fence line; another person makes sure that we are fed (tasty potatoes roasted in the fire).
Cooked by residual embers of so many branches that we have lifted from the ground–making way for light and eventually grass.
The Sun makes its way across the Sky.
One pile of burned limbs turns into two, three, four five.
Some limbs are stacked for chipping.
Now, we can see between the two pastures.
Before they seemed separate.
It becomes clear they were always joined–by Earth, and Air, and Sky.
Feet and hands and backs grow tired.
Smiles remain and spirits are high.
Look at all we have accomplished in one day.
What does a child learn on a day such as this?
They are a cherished part of a community–a community that includes people, as well as horses.
Their bodies are capable and resilient.
Projects and living beings may need their attention and energy.
Challenging work is fun with friends.
This is how to pay attention while using a hand saw, while placing limbs in a fire, while eating a very hot potato with your hands.
Pride seems more fitting somehow within a group. It’s less selfish that way.
We did this together.
Like a seed waiting to sprout, we can tuck this experience in the fertile soil of our souls
–to bear bruit on another day.
Can you think of a worthwhile project for your community?
Here is a photo of the end of the day, facing the same direction as the start of the day photo shown first!
