Celebrating Our Earth
I am reflecting on the weather earlier this Spring in March. I recall watching snow accumulate on the lawn as early daffodils were slowly getting covered, and my camellia blossoms were caught by surprise mid-bloom. On the previous day, I was walking my dog in a tank top and shorts in my neighborhood. The warm breeze and birdsong seemed to promise we had turned the corner. Now I was scrambling to cut some blooms, pull my sweaters back out, and had no idea that the week of “Snowcrete” was around the corner.
Nature seems to mirror life sometimes, shifting from one extreme to another.
Do you feel this? Sometimes I struggle to find my breath in the shifting sands of news that seems to roll through my body like a freak snowstorm. I feel unprepared for the unpredictability. I struggle to find a way to make sense of the myriad ways that so much seems to be changing, crumbling, shifting under my feet. How do I adapt to these ever-changing internal and external weather events? I look to the trees to find inspiration and the secret to bending, not breaking. Trees stand together in community, sharing resources in times of need.
I believe, like trees in a forest, we are stronger together. A friend and local herbalist forwarded me this blog with this wonderful quote, “Resilience isn’t about standing alone against the storm, it’s about remembering we are not alone. Resilience is not about solitary strength. It is about weaving ourselves back into the web of connection, with the land, with community, and with ourselves.” I needed to hear this. I want to be rewoven into the network of care.
How do we find our way back into the web of care? Care begins with kindness given and received. Simple beginnings over a cup of tea, sharing hearts and seeds, and caring for our community gardens are a few ways back in. Walking in the woods, journaling, and caring for your garden under the blue sky will help reconnect a world-weary heart back into the cycle of life. Speaking up when something is not right, or offering a helping hand when needed. Small steps taken, one at a time, together we find our way back home.
For me personally, I have found a lot of comfort being involved in Capital Trees. At Capital Trees, we believe caring for the world begins with nurturing the earth right here in our city. We transform neglected public land into vibrant green spaces that are not only beautiful but vital. “… Our projects restore natural ecosystems, improve water and air quality, and create sanctuaries for mental health and community connection. By removing concrete, planting trees, and designing with nature in mind, we reduce stormwater runoff and strengthen the James River and the Chesapeake Bay watershed it sustains. We don’t do this work alone. With every partner, volunteer, and neighbor who joins us, we accelerate a shared journey toward a healthier, more resilient city.”
To celebrate Earth Week, Capital Trees is hosting a community event open to all, celebrating the 2nd Annual Earth Week Festival at Hotchkiss Green. Please join us for an afternoon of community, nature, and celebration in the heart of Richmond’s Northside. On Sunday, April 26th, we kick things off early with a special ribbon cutting at 12:00 pm, marking an exciting milestone for both the Hotchkiss Field Community Center and the community they serve. From 1:00–4:00 pm, experience interactive activities, connect with local organizations, enjoy hands-on environmental learning, and celebrate the power of green spaces to bring people together. Ruby Scoops will be on hand, serving up ice cream along with an additional food truck. We hope you will join us for the celebration.
“Resilience isn’t about standing alone against the storm; it’s about remembering we are not alone.”
Together, we are creating welcoming places where people can gather, thrive, and reconnect with the natural world. In our community and in our backyard, we have an opportunity to make a difference. I invite you to envision a haven that replenishes you and supports the natural world. Your home garden can provide you with that web of connection and care. I promise it will bring you so much joy and resilience in the seasons to come.
Please subscribe to my newsletter for more inspiration. I am so happy to celebrate our local ecosystem by inviting you to celebrate in your home garden and in your community.
A gift for you! You are invited to download your own Sun-loving, RVA native Plant Palette. Bursting with color, lots of texture, and easy to love. Be inspired to plant some or all of these resilient, vibrant plants to feed the birds and pollinators all season long. Creating beautiful and beneficial garden designs is my passion. Enjoy!
