Grampa’s Garden

Dirt, dirt, and more dirt was on the agenda today as Kayla, Jaxon, and Mike put a small vegetable garden in our backyard.  Each year since Kayla was two, she and Papa have planted something.  The first year they planted flowers.  Mike took her to Lowes and they purchased flowers.  Within a couple of hours they had them planted.  Each time she visited they would water and tend those flowers. Oh how they grew, and our house was absolutely beautiful.  

Last year, her Papa was checking out tomato plants at Southerlands when he came across this little pink pair of princess garden gloves, and tiny spade with matching three pronged rake.  When we checked out, he had placed them in the basket along with the tomato plant and Hostas.  I still smile thinking about how proud he was that she was coming to plant with him.  You would have thought the guy had won the lottery.  Both of them donned their hats, slathered up in sunscreen, and made an afternoon of it.  

This year Mike decided to plant a small box garden.  Weeks ago he picked up one from Sam’s Club and began to plan exactly what he and the kids would put in it.  He picked up a package of carrots, lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes.  When we got to the check out stand, there in the bottom of the basket was a tiny spade and a matching three pronged rake.  The theme this time was Cars.  I looked at him over the rim of my glasses and he said, "Those boys cannot use the princess tools."  I just chuckled and whipped out my debit card.  

The weather here in Kansas City has been odd.  Temps have soared and then dipped, but this morning was deemed the big day to put together the raised garden.  Mike hauled all his materials out to the backyard.  It wasn’t long before Kayla and Jaxon made their usual debut and Kayla clapped her hands with joy at the prospect of helping with the garden.  She disappeared around to the back of the house and as I put dishes in the dishwasher, I could hear her chattering away with Mike.  What does this black paper do Papa?  Can I use the hammer?  When can we put the box together?  Can I use the scissors to cut apart those sticks?  Mike was patient and directed her in every aspect of assembling the little garden.  

It wasn’t long before everything was assembled and the dirt was ready to be placed.  By this time, Tammi and Jaxon had joined the fun. Gloves were donned and tools were in hand.  Tammi and Mike pour the dirt as Kayla and Jaxon dug elbow deep with their tools.  Laughter filled the backyard.  Jaxon picked through the dirt until he found a clump to his liking and popped the darn thing into his mouth.  It did not take him long to spit it back, toss the tools and head for the lawn chairs.  Mike and Kayla worked to level the dirt and before we knew it, it was time to plant.  They planted onions first.  Mike and Kayla would plant them and then Jaxon would pull them up.  Tammi finally picked little man up and escorted him a safe distance away.  Kayla and I planted the tomatoes and then she moved on to help her Papa plant the carrots.  Pepper plants followed and finally the lettuce.  Add a little water and game on!  For the next couple of months, she will pop out of the car, find her Papa, and they will check on the garden.

Jaxon is only a little over a year old.  He has no clue what planting a garden is about.  He did enjoy spending time with his Papa and tossing around a little dirt.  Kayla has a few years on her brother in this area and she has watched the fruits of their labor come into being.  She comments about the Hosta that return each year and the Marigolds that fill the front landscape.  She pulls weeds, waters, picks tomatoes, and talks all winter about what she and her Papa will plant in the spring. 

It is a beautiful thing that the grandchildren share with their Papa.  The only negative to shade the day was that Sam was not there to share in the day with his cousins and Papa.  I love that Mike has found this to share with the kids.  I hope that they look back some day on the memories of time in the little garden with their Grampa Mashaney and smile.  I know that Mike smiles with fondness and it makes him happy to build the same memories with his grandchildren that his own father built with Paul and Tammi.

It was a beautiful day…….I am so very blessed!

Lora