Footsteps in the Garden

Footsteps in the Garden

Meet the Siblings: Theo and Ida

It was a sunny morning in the backyard of the Theo and Ida's house. Dad had built three wooden garden boxes last spring. Theo took care of them. Every morning, he watered the plants, pulled the weeds, and checked for new green leaves. Splish, splash, sprinkle! Whenever he picked extra tomatoes, he walked them next door to share with their neighbor. Ida had her very own project. She had planted one sunflower seed in a pot by the fence and named it Sunny. Each day, she stood next to Theo with her tiny watering can, copying every move her brother made.

One night, a big wind came whooshing through the neighborhood. Whoosh! Rattle! Bang! The next morning, Ida ran outside to see Sunny. The little sunflower was bent over, and its leaves were lying in the dirt. Ida remembered she had been so busy playing that she forgot to water Sunny for two whole days. "No more" Ida said, plopping down on the grass. "Gardens are hard."

Ida's tummy felt tight and twisty. She felt sad that Sunny was hurt and was worried Theo would be disappointed in her since his garden was doing great, but her sunflower was fallen over sad. Theo watched from his garden box. At first, he felt surprised. Then he felt worried for Ida. He remembered last year, when his bean seeds never sprouted and it made him feel sad. Ida cared so much about Sunny that her heart was hurting. Theo noticed that Ida was looking up at him and how he acted next towards his sister taught her a huge lesson in facing challenges.

Theo put down his watering can and sat on the grass next to Ida. He was ready to listen to his sister. "That looks really sad," Theo showed empathy and said softly. "I would feel sad too." Ida sniffled. "I forgot to water Sunny. It's all my fault." "Everyone forgets sometimes," said Theo. "I planted my beans three times before they grew. I almost gave up, but I tried one more time." By relating to Ida, Theo showed his sister that her feelings are real too. Ida looked up. "You did?" "I did."

Theo put his arm around Ida and asked: "What do you think Sunny needs?" Ida wiped her nose and thought hard. "Water," she said slowly. "And something to help it stand up straight." "That is a great idea!" Theo said. "Let's make a plan together." Ida felt a little happier and didn't feel like she was going through this alone.

Theo took his little sister's hand and walked with her to find their dad in the garage. "Dad, Ida and I need a stick or pole or something to help her sunflower stand up again. Do you have anything?" The sibling's dad looked through his shelves and pulled out a small stick and piece of string. "I think I have just the things for you guys," he said handing it to Theo. Theo took them from his dad and said, "Thanks dad!" Then he turned to Ida and said, "Come on, let's go fix Sunny." Together they gently stuck the stick next to the sunflower and tied its stalk to the stick. Then they watered it. "Now we wait," Theo said squeezing his sister's shoulder.

Two weeks later, Sunny stood tall and straight. A brand-new leaf unfurled at the top, bright green and shiny. Ida learned that mistakes can be fixed and that taking care of something means showing up every day, even when it's hard. Theo learned something too. He learned that his sister looks up to him and tries to follow him in his hobbies, even when it is hard. Together, they learned that siblings can teach so much to each other.

Brothers and sisters are like gardens growing side by side. When we are kind and keep trying, the people who love us are there to support us and model for us how to build those gardens. They grow right along with us.