Personally, I think of many events from other's points of view. My mind always wanders to the inevitable "what is he or she thinking?" I am a people watcher. That might sound a bit creepy to some, but my roommate and I think that it is completely normal. On a Friday or Saturday night, you can usually find us sitting in a crowded bar watching all the events happening. I am relating this to Seedfolks because I would love to be a people watcher near that garden. To be able to see all these different people interacting over a garden. They weren't fighting or ignoring each other, they actually helped each other. That would be a miraculous thing to witness; people might change completely before your eyes.
Something interesting happened yesterday after I had read this book. My mom is very involved in our church at home and does a lot of outreach in the community. She called, full of excitement, to tell me that she had contacted a woman who works with pregnant teenagers. My mom really wanted to put together Mother's Day baskets, with the help of members of our church, for these young women for the coming holiday. The woman was overjoyed! She was excited that these young women would receive items for themselves instead of for the babies. Almost automatically, I made a connection to Maricela in Seedfolks. I would think that not many people take time to have a conversation with pregnant teenagers because many people would have a negative impression of them immediately. However, there are some people that would reach out a hand and help these young women. My mom, the woman working with the pregnant teens at home, and Penny look at these young people through different eyes. They know that these people need care and attention, much like a plant in a garden, and they cannot be neglected.
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4 comments:
I liked your connection between plants and the teenage mothers. I used to work at a home for teenage mothers when I was in college. I agree with you - people are so quick to judge these girls and they forget to realize that they are humans - we are all equal and we all make mistakes.
Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman. We are blessed to have people who care about others without having a "What's in it for me mentality?" Thank you for sharing!
Trish, I like your comment about how like plants, people cannot be neglected. I enjoyed reading your connections to the real world involving pregnant teenagers. I think that girls in that situation are scared beyond belief about the enormous adult responsibility coming their way with the birth of their baby. What they need is support and positive, sincere attitudes to guide them. They do not need to others to view them negatively more than they are already making themselves feel as it is. Things happen in life, and all you can do is try to make the best of them. Trish, your mom sounds like one awesome, loving lady! Tell her I think what she is doing is wonderful!
WOW! It sounds like you have a wonderful mom. I love the picture of the two of you on your blog. I agree that the population of pregnant teens needs a lot more attention and support than they receive. At the school where I work there are two girls pregnant right now (one is 12), one girl had her baby earlier in the school year, and one girl has a toddler and is trying to get pregnant again. We only have around 100 students so this is a pretty scary statistic.
I am envious of anyone who can figure out what others are thinking. People never cease to surprise and dismay me. I think that is probably one of the reasons I like to read. It gives me a look inside someone else's mind.
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