Anna and I reflected over the summers we spent in our home in Kerala during the last seven years. This summer which is at its peek now was the hottest of all the summers so far. In the state of Kerala, where there is rain for almost nine months in a year, many people suffered due to scarcity of water during this season.
We too would have suffered without water except for an irrigation well that waters the two acre property. The well was in dilapidated condition with water level reducing to about five feet. But following the renovation the water level is about 12 feet which is just enough for irrigating the property.
The result of this is the different fruits in our property during this summer. Apart from the photos of fruits in this blog, we have banana, pineapple, papaya, and many vegetables in the kitchen garden. Then there are the crash crops of nutmeg, coconut, etc.
As I walked around the property yesterday, what moved me is the way the earth brings it bounty through the year!
The earth is the mother to its flora and fauna.
I remember sighting at least thirty different species of birds during the last six months, some of which I was sighting for the first time.
The Biblical story of God the creator bequeathing the earth to Adam and Eve to 'till and tend' is both a metaphor and reality of 'stewardship' committed to all generations!
From September 2018, there were on an average three people working in our property every day to restore the damage caused by the flood. Hopefully the work woeful be complete by the end of this month.
The nurture of nature is akin to nurturing people in our homes, places of work, community, etc. People are exposed to different vulnerabilities.
It is only as much we carry the needs of others in our hearts and minds, we are companions of the 'stewards', who God has created to be caretakers of the 'garden of humanity'!
This begins by cultivating a language of acknowledgement of our indebtedness to each other.
Being kind to each other is the way be bring forth the 'fruits of season' in our human relationships!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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