I can’t remember when my family mantra and personal guidepost, “Go, See, Do,” was imparted as a gift from my late dad—a man with a visionary knack for assessing situations quickly with an “obviousness” lens and devilishly dry humor. But I rely on his wisdom when defining what cultivating my garden means. My immediate thoughts go to my four grandkids, three adult children, and the numerous beloved McMillan students I’ve been lucky to help.
Go! Depending on your age, “go” can have many interpretations because everyone has an intrinsic need to leave indoor spaces and connect with nature. The beauty of an orangey-pink glorious sunrise, the scent of a Claire Austin English climbing rose, and the nightly evening flight home for the local seagulls to their rocky island perch off my house are experiences that feed my soul. To my two and three-year-old grandchildren, ”go” means running outside, hoping to see a young bunny nibbling on baby dandelions or helping mix crushed lobster shells in container gardens of strawberries, peppers, and whatever else their little fingers picked up at the garden center, while I’m simultaneously hoping no scraped knees happen along the way. As with humans and gardens, regular visits are crucial for monitoring their health and growth, both mentally and physically. ”Go” is the first step to change, and if people or gardens stay stagnant, the perils of life await as a result.
See! The joy of observing and understanding life is crucial to ensuring that people and plants know they matter. Who doesn’t want to be appreciated, tended, and nurtured? It’s plant and human nature! If a plant is dry with curled, brown leaves, it needs water. Conversely, when tears fall (in my family), hugs and listening are the better remedies. In one of my favorite movies, Being There, Peter Sellars, the gardener, mistakenly named “Chauncey Gardner,” says it best, “Young plants do much better if a person helps them.” It’s important to watch for changes in making decisions, yet sometimes, solutions can come in bold moves or quiet actions. Successful gardens and healthy kids inspire and educate us all. If weeds pop up, as they often do, we investigate causes and figure out solutions. There’s no point in going down rabbit holes of the “What ifs” in life as much as responding to the needs at hand.
Do! “Do” ing is where our hopes and dreams live and where they push us to act! As everyone who learns history knows, lessons from our past impact our future. Yet honoring the past is vital. Thinking of my parents makes me wistful because I wish they could’ve met my little grandchildren monkeys running around. Arthur’s endless inquiries about all things mechanical and complex, Hattie’s quick-witted take on the world as she explains life to everyone while growing up on KUA’s campus, Bronwyn’s fearlessness with an older brother pushing her to achieve, and Rupert’s pure happiness surrounded by a loving sister and furry golden retrievers are a testament to their parents and a legacy to the generations before. Remembering what happened makes us all better because someone did something that worked or didn’t. Observations and history lead to a lush and thriving garden. There’s universal satisfaction and pride from being part of that growth process. “Do” ing with gratitude is what I wish for everyone.
When I imagine the garden I’m cultivating for my funny and curious grandchildren and the students I work with, my wish is simple: I want them to be able to Go, See, and Do in whatever field they aspire to get involved in, with the support and confidence that action, observation, and achievement brings. My hope for their generation is intense, filled with the inspiration that there are those in life who love children and care deeply about making a difference. In this complex world, with the proper cultivation and a healthy and active mantra, we’ll be able to thrive with serendipity and skill to create a flourishing garden teeming with opportunity and fulfillment.
Go, See, Do! Thanks, Dad.
