Blueberry feta salad with roasted pecans The morning sky is damp and foggy and the quiet house gives little indication that four children live within its walls. Still cozy in my worn-in cotton pajamas, I step outside as the leftover chill of night meets the sun hinting at the hot day to come. The dew on the leaves rains down as I twist the first berry in my fingers and it pops loose. One by one the children come out to join me. They greet me with bare feet and sleepy eyes and as we hug I feel the residual warmth of the night’s sleep. We stand gathered together among the row of mature, thriving blueberry bushes and give thanks for another day together. There are many lessons that can be found in our interactions with nature and the lesson the blueberries teach us is one that I hold dear.
We’ve made picking blueberries a family affair and as the caretakers of these berries it is our responsibility to both harvest and enjoy them. The berries ask only for the sun and water that mother nature provides and in return they produce thousands of plump, juicy berries for our nourishment. While picking the berries, it is inevitable that one of the younger children ask, "Can I have a blueberry from your basket?". "No," I always reply, "but you may pick your own,". "Please, just one?" they respond with their kryptonite-like puppy dog eyes, but my answer is unwavering. It seems harsh and sometimes and I wonder what message I’m sending about sharing, but they are strong, capable children. I want them to learn that if they want something enough they should be willing to work hard for it.
My eight-year-old looks forward to picking berries and takes pride in how many he picks and how many he eats. When we bake muffins or pie or top our salad with yummy berries, he knows that he contributed and that is empowering. My six and four-year-old still ask, but they will either learn to reach or they will learn to go without, at least until their older brother shares with them because he is extremely empathetic.
It's a small lesson and there wasn't a lot of thought put into it. It happened organically, literally, and the more I reflect on the message I’m sending the more grounded I am in my idea that even when a berry dangles high above their heads they should learn to reach for it. After all, I’ve witnessed them scale walls for lollipops. I am grateful for our abundant blueberries and for the nourishment, pleasure, and lessons they provide to our family.
Where do you find lessons in nature? How do you share those lessons with your children?
We’ve made picking blueberries a family affair and as the caretakers of these berries it is our responsibility to both harvest and enjoy them. The berries ask only for the sun and water that mother nature provides and in return they produce thousands of plump, juicy berries for our nourishment. While picking the berries, it is inevitable that one of the younger children ask, "Can I have a blueberry from your basket?". "No," I always reply, "but you may pick your own,". "Please, just one?" they respond with their kryptonite-like puppy dog eyes, but my answer is unwavering. It seems harsh and sometimes and I wonder what message I’m sending about sharing, but they are strong, capable children. I want them to learn that if they want something enough they should be willing to work hard for it.
My eight-year-old looks forward to picking berries and takes pride in how many he picks and how many he eats. When we bake muffins or pie or top our salad with yummy berries, he knows that he contributed and that is empowering. My six and four-year-old still ask, but they will either learn to reach or they will learn to go without, at least until their older brother shares with them because he is extremely empathetic.
It's a small lesson and there wasn't a lot of thought put into it. It happened organically, literally, and the more I reflect on the message I’m sending the more grounded I am in my idea that even when a berry dangles high above their heads they should learn to reach for it. After all, I’ve witnessed them scale walls for lollipops. I am grateful for our abundant blueberries and for the nourishment, pleasure, and lessons they provide to our family.
Where do you find lessons in nature? How do you share those lessons with your children?
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