Thankful Thursday - DIRT

Today, I am thankful for DIRT!  (seriously? ...YEP)

While we are surrounded by it, most of us give little if any thought to DIRT. It is an essential building block to farming. Everything we grow needs DIRT…the gardens and the animals.

DIRT makes this possible.  Because of it we are able to earn our living and provide for our table and the tables of our customer-friends. It doesn't bother me when I have dirt under my fingernails, rubbed into my jeans and caked onto my boots.  That’s nothing a little soap and water can’t handle.  The sense of well-being provided by all that DIRT is worth the extra laundry.

  

Over the years, one "issue" in my life has caused me to cry like a baby and curse like a sailor with stops at every other human emotion along the way. I have absolutely no control over the situation and am powerless to change it in any way. I am not looking for advice to resolve it, nor am I going to reveal its identity.  Suffice it to say it is a cross I must bear, albeit not always with a gracious attitude, despite my best efforts.

However, I have found that this aspect of life doesn't bother me, hurt me, and torment me nearly as much when I am in the garden digging in the DIRT. I suppose that’s just one of the reasons I love planting, weeding and harvesting.

When I find circumstances overwhelming, I simply head out to the hoophouse where I can dig and weed and seed and plant in any type of weather. A short time later and everything looks different. The hoophouse looks full and productive, and the “issues” seem less imposing.

Maybe it’s the fact that I’m down on my knees, ready for prayer and/or meditation.  Maybe it’s the connection with the earth.  Maybe it’s the fact that I’m doing productive work and am distracted.  Maybe it’s the fact that I listen to music…

Perhaps it isn't necessary for me to know the why’s and wherefore’s…

                                         

                      ...maybe I can just be thankful for DIRT!

As it provides good food, an honest living, AND cheap therapy…yes, I am thankful for DIRT!