In this episode, you'll hear firsthand stories of what it's been like to witness and respond to the disaster caused by Hurricane Helene.
The Garden of Extinction, 10/14/24
by Missy Harris (she/her)
Co-Pastor, Circle of Mercy Congregation
I came home from Cape Town, South Africa three weeks ago today. I haven’t even had time to think about and process all that I experienced there. It feels like 17 lifetimes ago. But it’s only been 17 days.
We visited a beautiful place. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
A sign in a section of the garden read: Tuin Van Uitsterwing/Garden of Extinction. Rare plants.
African Proverb: The earth is not ours. It is a treasure we hold in trust for future generations. The earth around us is broken. Our treasure has shattered.
Wikipedia: Characteristics of wabi-sabi aesthetics and principles include asymmetry.
roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy, and the appreciation of both natural objects and the forces of nature.*
Yes! Yes! All of these things, yes!
Impermanence. In the span of two days. Mountains crumbled. Rivers raged.
Trees swayed and bent in the wind. Oaks remained planted. Pines and maples overturned. Entire root systems exposed. Green moss contracting. Conserving. Drying. No, just to the edge of dying, but not quite. There’s life there. One tiny drop of water brings it back to life. Rushing waters destroyed and cut life short.
They say trees talk to each other, tell each other when danger is coming. They share resources carried through loamy soil and red clay. Other organisms carry their messages across acres that do not belong to us. They conserve their energy and steady their branches.
There was not enough time for warning to spread through these mountains, valleys, hills, coves, and hollers.
We look closely at the roots. We lean in to listen. We touch the cool, green moss. Sometimes it’s a whisper. Sometimes it’s a full-throttle scream.
Governor removed.
Wide open.
Can we decipher the mysteries, the signs and wonders, the warnings they are earnestly calling us to heed?
Whether we walk these hills and streets having lived here all of our lives, having known no other place so deeply or we walk these hills and streets because we thought this would be a cool place to live, they are speaking to us all.
It is not ours.
It is held in trust.
Future generations.
What will be saved for them?
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
