When people asked me what I would do if I had a million dollars I would always say, “I want to help kids in an afterschool program. I could pay for it because I would be rich.”

The funny thing about that is that once a got rid of the block that money allows our dreams to come true, the answer was right down the street.

In a brief inspired moment, I used all my talents as an English major and whipped out a proposal for the local YMCA for a series of events called “Growing up Green”. And what do you know…“Bam” they jumped at it!  Not only did they jump at it, but we all talked about it as a pilot program if it didn’t tank in the first go ‘round. The first class in a series of 4 – 1 for each season- was Mother’s day Marigolds” (in which, by the way we did not plant 1 marigold).

Events occurred and the next thing I know I am a an elementary school  with 34 six year olds staring at me as I describe how I am a landscaper and how we all can more closely connect with Nature.

Well,  if you have ever worked with 6 year olds, you know that they last about 2 seconds when you talk at them; that they can’t  read cute signs you make for a skit  (Pretend you are a plant!), and when they are asked a question they could come out with a totally different slant on the topic at hand.  (“ My mother once had a shrub that died and…) So I went with the flow and with the help of the kids and counselors pulled about 20 different annuals onto the tailgate of my truck, and told them to pick one and go back to their picnic tables. They sat with them in front of them, petted them, smelled them (a truly tactile experience I learned as a special ed teacher in the 80’s)  while their classmates acted out with minimal props planting concepts like wet vs dry: sun vs shade; deep roots vs.  shallow roots.

The highlight of the day was when I pulled an asparagus fern out of the pot and dissected the root system showing them the tuberous root and how it holds water.

By the end of the hour each of them came up and told me which plant they wanted to pot up for their Mom. They had specific colors they wanted, some wanted roses and shrubs (can’t do it kid – it’s on my budget) but each one explained what they wanted and made me spell their name correctly with the thick magic marker and lined paper one of the sharper kids in the class was kind enough to lend me.  I explained to her that I had come unprepared.

So how did it work out?  We have 3 more days to go in this series – the painting of the pots- the planting- making a card.  But as I looked up from my writing one little guy’s name (it was the third time he’s spelled his name for me to get right with his quiet lisp..“ No it’s G-A-G-E”), and see the consternation through his thick glasses,  I wonder if the outcome of this event about us getting closer to the plant, or about us getting closer because of the plant.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.