Planting Seeds

              Roosevelt students didn’t know that they’d be leading two lessons when they arrived today. They had one hour to figure it out.

              Sixth graders were first, those cuties, and because John Harkin was insistent our workshop occur in the foyer of the school, we were soon blasting the premises with noise, our students building rock-paper-scissor trains and shouting names. A couple scouts were sent from upstairs to find out what in Heavens’ name was going on and returned with word that, Oh, it’s the Americans. I would have tried to tamp it down, but if John wanted us there in the foyer, right in the heart of the entrances and exits of the school, I figured he knew what he was getting. And indeed he did, smiling to see us so boisterous and joyful and bringing Oakgrove along, future HFBers, leaders, and healers.

              Our kids divided the crowd into smaller groups and then led more games and facilitated gently probing questions. I was so proud to see the Roosevelt students at work, taking charge and stepping up to the leadership, assured and inviting.

              Roosevelt was more
practiced explaining, playing, discussing with the second group, the eight graders; and when it was over, the accompanying teachers were disappointed that we weren’t taking kids for a double lesson, for all of the reasons.

              Two of our students said after the first lesson, I’m not sure what they got out of this. I was surprised anyone felt this way. I said that we weren’t doing this for the intellectual content or exchange of information: this was about getting students out of their comfort zone; this was about bonding and inclusion, and about being with you. It’s also about modeling bravery and leadership, and no less about warming up their experience with school (though students do seem much better connected to their community here than we back home). We were just playing, but those year eights and tens are likely to remember the experience with both curiosity and fondness.

              After lunch, we went to Ness Woods to plant trees. John was surprised by the number and variety of Oakgrove kids who suddenly took an interest in walking the muddy peat and planting trees.

              But oh, the sweeping countryside and heavy gray sky atop it. I’m only sorry our students missed the chance to perform Seamus Heaney’s “Digging” on the hill with their spades.