The Seeds of Appreciation

By Robert J. Ottaviani

Years have a way of washing away a lot of memories but some stay firmly ensconced
and are close to the heart for recall.

When I was a young pre teen little guy looking for adventure I found myself outdoors quite often. There was a kind elderly man in the neighborhood they called “Kangy” who gathered a handful of us every Saturday morning for our sojourn to the woods.
“Kangy” was a short man of Italian descent who had a zest for life and and an interest in our well being. He led our troop with a five foot walking stick which we thought had some kind of magical power. Years later after watching the movie the ten commandments my suspicions were confirmed watching Moses part the red sea with his crooked staph. Our day consisted of watching the deer run up red clay mountain, startling the leopard frogs at leopard frog pond and walking the long winding path while being reminded to stay on the trail to keep out of danger that led us to the caves all the while listening to “Kangy” explaining all the different trees to us.

The caves were always our final destination and it was there right before entering we would pick what seemed like tootsie roll sized blackberries from a huge thicket.We entered cautiously with “kangy” in the lead with his flashlight all the while telling us where to step.We always saved the icebox cave for last as this was your test of manhood because you had to crawl in the small opening and withstand the much colder temperatures inside.All of us emerged feeling a little older and a lot more accomplished.

It was wonderful. My connection with nature was cemented for a lifetime. Now I find myself with my own meager plot of land and doing everything I can to replicate nature as I so fondly remembered it as a child. I’ve planted many trees and shrubs as well as crooked paths that meander throughout. My passion for gardening has taught me life lessons that have served me well in the parenting game. It occurs to me that there are definite parallels between the two. A young seed is planted and is nurtured with love and nourished accordingly.

We watch as it grows and blossoms into something beautiful. No two plants grow the same yet we appreciate each for their individuality. We give them plenty of space to grow and at times when they get rambunctious we clip them to keep them in bounds and manageable. We are forever moving things around until we get a good fit and achieve symmetry.

And so it is with parenting. It’s always about the love. Our legacy isn’t just about us but about our children and their children. So to reap what you sow do your soul a favor and plant a garden of love. Maybe just maybe that’s what “Kangy” was really teaching.

Robert J.Ottaviani (Bert) is a cusp born Aries the ram who has lived through summer
of love in the late sixties and the hippie culture that bled into the seventies. He
has a passion for music,gardening and all things nature … and laffy taffy. He is
freakishly aware of music trivia to absurd levels.Most days you can find him playing
his guitar or jotting down lyrics.He was so impacted from the moment he first heard
the Beatles that he has Beatlemanianized his life,been to Liverpool, England and
remains convinced he is the fifth Beatle.He is married to a gentle and lovely vibe
of a woman with three wonderful children.He currently lives and resides in
strawberry fields forever.