sarah’s reflection
"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
When the stewardship role of this property was passed on to us last summer, we were told there was asparagus in the garden. It’s a perennial plant, which means it resurfaces each year. Thus, we needed to look for it this spring - some time in April. First we had to hack down the weed jungle, which we did, and then guess as to which row was home to this most peculiar specimen. We found it behind our blueberry patch. It was hard to miss.
I’ve learned asparagus has an entwined ball of roots, and the shoots spring forth unexpectedly and rather quickly. You cut the spear at ground level and then you won’t see that particular appendage again until next year. There is a window of about two weeks to harvest and enjoy these tender stalks and then poof, the bounty is spent. The flowering plant does remain for the summer, gathering nutrients for the dormancy of winter - the season of rest and rejuvenation.
For many, asparagus is a tender culinary treat. I agree, preferably grilled please. I also offer an additional bonus of this plant. If ever there is a prompt to “be in the moment,” I’d say the arrival of asparagus is it. This wise guru of the garden offers us the lesson of presence and awareness to the gifts we have right now. So remember to pause, pay attention, enjoy the abundance in this minute, understand it is fleeting, and rest in gratitude for it all.
