Interview with the Children on Plants
Doug explains, “Part of what I have to offer is how to become better communicators and therefore better relatives.” As I have spent time with Doug learning to deepening my observations, my communications, and my relationships with the natural world I continue to reclaim pieces of myself and build solid connections.
Connection
Today I was contemplating peeling away the layers of separation and began to observe the children. In my opinion, the children are commonly attuned to this awareness of being whole until circumstances and experience render a different belief system. To learn more about this I decided to interview two wonderful children, my son Cedar and our sweet friend Seneca, both seven years old. I asked them many questions and asked them to lets their hearts answer. I explained to them that I was writing a blog and Cedar laughed and asked, “how do you write a blob?” Their answers are so simply powerful. As a result, I would like to share this with you as children can be the greatest of teachers. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes has brought me a deeper understanding of my connection to all my relations.
What is your relationship with Mother Earth?
Seneca in her elegant way states, “My main relationship is loving.”
Cedar simply states without hesitation,” Love. Love and respect the Earth like your own Mother and yes, I always feel safe with her.”
What is love?
“Love is the most powerfullest thing that cannot get destroyed”, says Cedar.
“Support and respect”, says Seneca.
In what ways do you connect with the plant people?
Seneca answers, “Talking with my heart and not my brain.”
Cedar responds, “Talking with love not fear.”
In what ways can you give back to the Earth and the plants?
Cedar replies, “We can give back gentleness, love and respect. Mother earth needs what we need”. Cedar also mentions, “Offerings are really important to give because we wouldn’t be alive without Mother Earth… not even close to even being born without Mother Earth.”
Cedar confidently says, “I know I am connected to the Earth because I love and play with her.”
The children both agreed, “Go slow in nature – you learn more.”
How do children’s relationships to the plants differ from adults?
Seneca proudly states, “Children pay attention. When we see a beautiful plant we stop to look at it, adults see beautiful plants and don’t always stop to look at it.”
What do you like about harvesting plants?
Cedar shares, “I can experience more with the plants when I harvest and explore … giving me a relationship to the Earth.”
Seneca replies, “I like the walking. When you walk you can see more by going slower. I like to eat the wild plants.”
Thank you Seneca and Cedar. May your connection to the sweet Earth bless each of you infinitely!
“As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unselfconsciously to the soughing of the trees.” -Valerie Andrews