After 4 months away from writing, I’m back! It was refreshing to read through my drafts and see where we started back in June. I hope you will enjoy them as well.

Week 3 of the Mosaic Pilot Project was postponed due to rain so instead of Tuesday at the Sacred Seed Pop-Up Garden to start my week with Mosaic, it was initiated at the Food Hub with a different Mosaic crew and Job Coach.

This team works at the Florence Community Garden, where they have two plots, and in the Food Hub. When I saw their faces peeking in through the delivery bay door, my heart burst with different emotions. The thrill of being in their presences, the desire to engage with them and to hear their stories. Of course, some of are more chatty than others - some have LOTS of stories to tell and retell, but mostly, they want to be heard.

Taking time to sign into our experience.

As we talked through our tasks for the day, they grin constantly. Being able to sign their names on the agenda is a moment of pride and handing off the marker to the next teammate, a game. As we walked to the garden, I asked them to observe something new, as we walk this path twice a week. Some had great ideas, others noticed flower after flower after flower.

At the garden, we planned how we’d plant their two plots. Our plant fairy, Nancy Scott, had delivered tomatoes, peppers, herbs and chard to the cold frame and the team had stopped to buy their own seeds to plant. We decided on where things should go and created our plant markers. The levels of involvement and contribution were varied, as with any group of volunteers. When we started planting, there were all sorts of ideas about what should go where but in the end, every plants and seed found a home.

We walked a little more slowly back to the Hub, but excitement grew as we started to prepare our lunch. Since the four pillars of my projects are: grow, prep, share and explore, we use the catering supplies to set our table and supplies from Saving Grace to eat. Towards the end of the shift, I noticed two stark realities of the fragility of this team. One of my favorites felt a little sick after eating and spent time in the restroom collecting herself. Another hurt her knee when she opened the drain for the sanitizing sink and burst into tears.

Tasting the volunteer lettuce in the plot we inherited.

It is remarkable to witness their resilience and determination.