Real Work
The seed of Blackberry Blossom Preschool was planted a long time ago in my mind and heart, but it lay dormant for several years before it germinated. In 2024, all the conditions were perfect and Blackberry Blossom sprouted! There has been mental work, paperwork, and physical work required to get our preschool up and running. While I enjoy all aspects, it is the physical work outside which fulfills me the most. When I am working outside, I feel both excited and calm. I am simultaneously exercising and relaxing. At the end of the day, my heart feels glad, my brain feels useful, and my body feels gloriously exhausted. This is a recipe for a good night’s sleep and a happy life for everyone, but especially our children.
Yesterday, my youngest son was shadowing me as I was working in the chicken yard, fixing things and generally cleaning up. Specifically, I was using extra livestock fencing to mend an old chicken tractor and fill a gap near our gate. Armed with wire cutters, a staple gun, and a hammer, I set to work. My son stood by, asking questions and telling me stories, but of course, the itch came. He wanted a piece of the action. Who doesn’t? So I gave him a small hammer, and he set to work nailing down the staples. He became absolutely absorbed in the task at hand. His joy and confidence were palpable. I couldn’t keep him busy enough. After he made short work of the chicken tractor, we began picking up sticks and tiny bits of glass the chickens had dug up, probably thrown there several decades ago. (Chickens are master excavators!) We both walked around the yard, working, and generally feeling great. We were chatting companionably and just happy to be living in our bodies.
Our hard work warranted a bathroom break and a cool glass of water, so we headed back inside to get hydrated. While we were using the restroom, he kept saying, “I don’t like work. I LOVE it. I don’t like it, mom. I LOVE it!” I couldn’t help but adore his authenticity, but I also just agreed with him on a human to human level. Working with your hands or body, especially outside, makes you feel superhuman good. It is not something you can teach, the satisfaction that comes from using your hands and body to fulfill a goal, to do something useful. You can talk about it, and you can certainly model it, but when a child gets to experience that feeling in his or her own body, now that is a beautiful thing. As he was stating these facts, he was looking in the mirror at himself with eyes full of pride and worthiness. To see children love themselves fully is one of the main goals of parenting and education. My heart danced with joy.
