Currently in my humble little veggie garden, I have the starting of a large vine growing, threatening to take over the entire patch. A vine with the potential to grow giant pumpkins, which would join me at the local pumpkin festival next year. I have always loved the idea of growing something ‘giant’. A piece of produce that is so big that it holds and reflects all the love and time that was put into caring for it. This is my first attempt and it fills me with so much excitement and joy. I wanted to do it right…
Recently reading Robin Wall Kimmerer’s ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’, I was introduced to the concept of the Three Sisters; Beans, Corn and Pumpkin. I was inspired to incorporate this Indigenous wisdom into growing a giant pumpkin and celebrating and utilising the strengths of the plants to nurture and support growth. “Together these plants - corn, beans and [pumpkin] - feed the people, feed the land and feed our imaginations, telling us how we might live.” Each sister brings their gift and together they grow and support each other in their own special way. Corn grows quickly and provides support and structure for her younger sisters. Bean embraces Corn and puts nitrogen back into the soil. Pumpkin with her prickly leaves and stems deters hungry insects and shelters the soil, protecting her sisters. “The gifts are more fully expressed when they are nurtured together than alone. In ripe ears and swelling fruit, they counsel us that all gifts are multiplied in relationship.” While planting my precious ‘giant’ pumpkin seeds alongside scarlet runner beans and corn, I was reminded of another set of three sisters in my life and saw the connections between the magic of the Three Sisters and the magic of my three sisters.
In The Village, I have the wonderful privilege of working alongside my three sisters; Zoe (biological), Kaysanne and Demi. They each bring their gift and generously share it with each other and the world. These gifts complement each other and are enhanced in the collective. Zoe brings her critical thinking skills and power of articulation. Kaysanne brings her gentleness and attention to detail. Dem brings her generosity and passion and love for all beings. While this is only a touch on the gifts my three beautiful sisters bring and share, it shows how they intertwine, support and nourish in connection with each other and how these gifts are enhanced when they are alongside each other. Robin stated that “being among the sisters provides a visible manifestation of what a community can become when its members understand and share their gifts.”
I am excited to watch this community build, share its gifts and grow giant pumpkins together.
With gratitude,
Amy
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