Once there was a quirky little scarecrow who watched over The Secret Garden.
But now he is no more.
Yesterday when we arrived at the garden for our weekly activities, we discovered that the scarecrow had been torched overnight, which also resulted in one of the newly planted trees being burned, along with the bench and its crochet backing.
The garden is a space that is meant to create community and respect for the environment. It's a shame when others cannot grasp these concepts. But still we carry on because that's all we really can do.
For this week's activity, the kids were sent off to collect discarded bottles. They were then given an already prepared bottle to decoupage. There was a whole lot of ripping and gluing of paper going on which resulted in some lovely decorative vases for the kids to take home. The parents are always so appreciative of our efforts and say that their children look forward to Saturdays at the garden.
I added another crocheted backing to one of the benches that I couldn't get to on the night of the yarnbombing event because there was a bike tied to it.
And read a book to the kids.
(Thanks to one of the parents for some of these photos. I'm always the picture taker and don't ever get any of myself.)
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.
John Wesley, Theologian
Despite the actions of others, we must keep doing what is right and good.
Have a blessed Sunday,
(Thanks to one of the parents for some of these photos. I'm always the picture taker and don't ever get any of myself.)
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.
John Wesley, Theologian
Despite the actions of others, we must keep doing what is right and good.
Have a blessed Sunday,
39 comments:
Oh no,can't believe somebody can do that. Its disheartening...but as you have rightly quoted "Do all the good you can" . It always good when the kids can learn something and contribute to the society at the same time. better than watching television .
love your last words ..... you are so right Tammy and I appreciate your work in the garden!!!!
xxxxxx ale
My guess is teenagers are the ones responsible for the torching, such a shame isn't it? I love that you all carry on and that you are such a wonderful friend and mentor to these kids.
You are the best.
Meredith
Isn't it sad when this kind of thing happens, I can never get my head around why they do it. I thought maybe where you are these things wouldn't happen but you are so right to say keep doing what is right.
Nice to see you in the picture for a change.
Briony
x
I'm so sorry to hear someone did that. Good for you for moving forward and not letting that one bad apple spoil all of your beautiful work!
It is so sad that people can't...or won't respect the good that is being done in places like your garden. I'm glad that you aren't letting them win the fight. What a fun craft for the kids. I enjoyed the photo of you reading to them. I think the love of books are one of the best gifts you can give to a child.
Blessings my sweet friend,
Betsy
Oh no, I'm so sorry someone vandalized the garden like that. But you are right, you have to keep doing good. Who knows, this person may be reading your intentions and actions to see how you would react to his/her vandalism. What a great way to show them love and acceptance than to just keep going. It might just be the thing that turns them around.
I'm so sorry about the scarecrow. I enjoyed your post and what you do so very much. I admire you and your work... and wish you the very best always. :-)
Hateful people. You have the best attitude, though. People like that don't deserve our energy, thoughts, joy. We still must do good and be joyful. Diane
Good for you for keeping on building your community in your park. Don't let the idiot win, I see the kids having fun.
Oh so sad! Always a shame when someone has to ruin it for others. It is just like I had a friend who had Christmas decor outside and someone stole some. Their response was to never put anything out again. My response was to keep putting stuff out and hope for the best. Good has to triumph over evil. And it will! Hugs, Kit
It's so sad that there are evil people ready to destroy anything beautiful and good. How very sad. I hope their hearts are not so hard, that God can't reach down and convict them of their wrongdoing.
I love your secret garden, and it will go on.... love the quote by John Westley.
Oh I am so sorry The Secret Garden was violated. I guess it takes all kinds. Lovely pictures and you look very pretty.
Have a nice day. Happy Holidays
Sorry to hear about this unhappy and disturbing incident. Some people simply don't know better and that's it! Admire your persistence and perseverance in investing your best efforts into the secret garden :)
Oh Tammy how said the garden was violated. I misunderstood you the other day. I thought you said no more crocheting and you said needle point. So glad you can still crochet. You do such good work. You are indeed a lovely person and so glad to see your photo. Blessings from Ky.
I am so, so sorry the Secret Garden was trashed; I simply do not understand people. And, as my late husband would have said, "And you may thank God for it because some people aren't worth understanding."
I'm sorry your Secret Garden was vandalized. I would guess it's young teenagers. When my children were small, their elementary school was broken into and vandalized. The culprits were 13 year old boys who had attended that elementary school a few years before. Then, a few years ago, some of the plots at our neighborhood community garden were vandalized. The vegetables families were trying to grow were all pulled up or cut down. Again, it was a group of 13 year old boys (different boys than the ones who'd broken into the school, as this was a few years later). They're at that age where they try to see what they can get away with. It is disheartening, and you hope their families will react appropriately. I'm glad you are keeping on with your project!
I was chagrined to see someone did such an evil thing to the scarecrow, bench and crocheting. But I do so admire that you just go on with things and don't let it get you down. It shows such integrity of you and the other garden keepers. The kids will love you forever. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Tammy, that was a horrible thing for someone to do. That person just cannot stand anyone making the world a more beautiful, pleasant place to be. But you have not given up or in and that is commendable. So happy you shared a special story with the little ones. Reading is SOOOO important and makes a huge difference in a child's life. Susan
That makes me so very angry. It's difficult for me to just carry on when things like that occur and anger really takes hold for me. Some security cameras in the area perhaps where you could prosecute anyone who tries vandalism there... I know that would be too expensive likely, but maybe even adding some fake cameras might scare some away? I don't know - but it's not right. I would definitely report this to the police!
It is sad that people do things like this. Wonderful picture of you reading to the kids. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Dearest Tammy,
It is sick when we yet again have to view such disrespect by some humans on this planet...
But we never should give up doing what we love to and for reaching out to others.
Those little things will plant many seeds and will yield far more than what those rude people think they accomplish!
Love your action photo where you're so lovingly and passionate reading to those kids.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a great idea with the garden. Hugs
SO sad about this! I know how much work and HEART go into creations such as this. Glad you made a happy day of it with the children, my friend. XOXO
There are so many hate-filled, angry people out there and I always pray that God take some of my blessings (notice I said some...not all...lol!) and my happiness and share it with them. Something sad and bad has taken place in their life...people are not born that way. They are crying out for help...they just don't know it and it is so sad that good people end up suffering for the fact that somewhere along the way these kids didn't get what they deserved or what they needed growing up and now we all have to deal with it. We all need to love all children...it takes a village to raise a child. I just pray they are good villages.
Bless you all for continuing your great work. I love your picture you never age...what's up with that?) and look at those precious little ones with you. Hugs to all of you......Sam
That's a nice picture of you reading to the kids. It shows enthusiasm and expression. Sorry about your scarecrow and tree burning. It makes me think of that yarn bombing when some was damaged. But good you press on; that's the best you can do. Good quote by Mr. Wesley.
Hi Tammy,
So sad when there are people that do things like this and don't respect the good things in life.
So glad that you were able to turn the day around and give the children a happy time.
Love the photo of you reading to the children.
Enjoy the week
hugs
Carolyn
So sad to see that people vandalized the scarecrow and part of the garden...my heart just fell when I read about this and saw the photo. Bless you for continuing to do good for your community and especially for the children!
That looks like a wonderful place! I can't believe someone would do any harm to it. I'm especially shocked that someone would torch the scarecrow. I can't even begin to imagine why someone would think that was a good idea. :-(
Yes many people are hateful and destroy. But you remind us to pick ourselves up and carry on with joy and love. Thank you for this reminder. Love the pictures of you and the children.
It's so good of you to take the right approach and continue with the good work you are doing in the secret garden despite these set backs. I'm sure when the younger kids see their special place vandalized, they learn something valuable there. Who knows, maybe one of these kids will stand up to someone who wants to vandalize property later on and will discourage them from going through with it. I didn't realize the garden was so big until I saw the photo here of all the raised garden beds! All of you have worked so hard on this project, that it has come to mean something to all of you I think. I'm glad the kids that visit on the weekends enjoy their time with you. That's a really nice photo of all of you reading the book together. Enjoy your week and don't lose heart ... maybe next week's project can be to make a new scarecrow :)
~Wendy
I'm so sorry that happened...people can sometimes suck....glad the kids enjoy it so much...
This is a powerful message of resilience and goodness. So sad that others do not respect good being done. Blessings on you and the others who continue to do good.
I'm so sorry, Tammy! Things like that make me sad and angry at the same time. It's wonderful that at least the kids enjoy the activities and that their parents appreciate your efforts.
Hugs,
Julia
So sad to hear how the secret garden was vandalized. Maybe you can incorporate it into a values lesson on respect and making good choices for the next generation of youngsters that you give so much joy too. I'm sure all the good and positive work you do will come back on you in other ways.
I was so sorry to read your wonderful garden was vandalised, who know why some people do things like that. Well done for being so positive and carrying on, you are an inspiration. Hx
How sad to hear the secret garden was vandalised, I am so sorry Tammy. Love your quote....so positive in the face of difficult times and a good one for the wider world too. Wishing you happy times with the children in the secret garden, despite the setback.
Helen xox
LOVE your Secret Garden!! How so very sad that someone would burn the scarecrow and bench!!
I just don't understand how some people can do what they do ????? Why????
Awesome picture of you reading to the kids!!! So good for the soul - yours and theirs!!
You're wonderful!!!
So sorry to hear about the Scarecrow being torched. It saddens me to think that someone could be so disrespectful. Such a shame.
Nice pics!
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