WE

I hold a vision of families, moms, even kids growing their own food. I see them marveling at the new growth each day, watching the fruit expand, change color, eagerly waiting for that perfect moment to be plucked and eaten. Each day, adding a little water, tending their system, stroking the leaves, polishing the skin of the fruit with the gentle touch of anticipation. This is the connection to life, nurturing growth, building personal and community security. You watch your food grow, you anticipate the taste and the full belly, as you coax life along. This tender dance, brings relaxing peace, security and hope. At the time of harvest, you feast. The flavor lingers a little longer, the fruit a little sweeter, the texture is a joy to roll around in your mouth, because you grew this food. This food has your sweat and attention invested in it, from tiny seed, to grand harvest. This is YOUR food, you created it in concert with the ever wise and giving Mother Earth. Your prayers and hopes were heard by her, and she offers her abundance to reward your effort and faith. The very essence of life pours into you, as you share and partake of this bounty.

Our work is the "important" work of granting this experience to as many in need as we possibly can. This vision, these many faces, lit by the joy of food, holds a space for me each day. May we be blessed with the energy and wisdom to do the difficult tasks, work the hours, turn 10,000 individual decisions into a cohesive direction and each lend our genius to this mission.

Of all the things we do, perhaps the most important is that "WE" is not just our inner circle. “We can do this,” means that everyone touched, is moving the world forward, even if their only offering is an intended hope. By giving, receiving, healing, strengthening, loving the life force that is being nurtured and created, WE are expanded. Our potential is magnified, from the tiny seed, to the infinite future of the child who is fed. We is all of us, indeed all of everything. The ripple is the infinite possibility, turned to inevitability by the fuel of life. Is there anything more important than nurturing and harvesting a bigger WE?

Shane McKenna - Founder, Ascending Harvest