A Thanksgiving Garden Celebration
It's mid-November, and yesterday the Wesley Chapel Mission Center Garden Club gathered at the Over-the-Rhine People's Garden, bringing with them the warmth and spirit of Thanksgiving. We began our time together with a certain magic in the air—a feeling that our gathering was a celebration of growth, generosity, and the simple joy of sharing. With fresh gloves on our hands, new shears, and a touch of festive ribbon—all thanks to a generous grant from the Joe Burrow Foundation—we were ready to make the most of our November day in the garden.
As we talked about the holiday ahead, our conversation drifted to the fragrant herbs growing around us: sage, dill, thyme, mint, chive, lemon balm, basil, and fennel. Together, we imagined these herbs enhancing holiday meals, adding warmth and flavor to turkeys, stuffing, potatoes, roasted carrots, stewed greens, and more. With care, we snipped the fresh herbs, breathing in their fragrance deeply before tying them together with colorful ribbon. I couldn’t help but picture the herbs hanging in kitchens, filling homes with the scents of the garden. The thought that our work could bring an extra dash of flavor and love to Thanksgiving tables filled me with joy. Thanksgiving, after all, is about gratitude and community, and here we were—sowing both!
Reflecting on our day, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I’m thankful for all the wonderful community gardeners who care for this special place, for the grants that make days like this possible—ensuring we have enough supplies for everyone, for the chance to teach these young gardeners the simple beauty of growing, caring, and sharing, and for how far this journey has come. When I began volunteering here a decade ago, I couldn’t have imagined how these precious moments would transform my life into something so beautiful.
As the sun set and the streetlights flickered on, I was gathering my things, ready to lock up, when a few young gardeners came running into the garden, grabbing my hand with excited smiles. We rushed over to the bed where we’d planted garlic together a few weeks ago. They could barely contain their excitement as they pointed to the tiny green sprouts pushing through the soil—a small yet powerful sign of life, resilience, and growth. We counted each sprout together—24 garlic sprouts in all—sharing smiles and a deep pride in what we’d nurtured.
My heart is brimming with gratitude for this garden and for the profound beauty of giving, growing, and connecting within my community. It’s so much more than gardening; it’s about planting seeds of hope, joy, and gratitude, and watching them flourish—not just in the soil, but in the lives and hearts of these young gardeners. It’s a gift I hope they carry forward, growing communities of care and connection wherever they go.
