Children are like seedlings. Each contains his or her own unique attributes and qualities. Families are the seed beds in which they develop. Parents are the gardeners.
The Community is the environment. To help each seedling develop to its full potential, the gardener must understand the individual needs of each plant, and provide a seed bed that nurtures and protects each appropriately, as it grows.
Some things in the environment are helpful, and the gardener uses those resources to help the plant grow.
Sometimes the environment is hostile and dangerous, and the gardener must protect the young seedling from the negative influences.
Knowing and understanding each plant's needs, providing for those needs in the seed bed, exposing it to outside influences that are helpful while protecting it from those than can harm, the gardener assists each plant in growing to its own, unique beauty and potential.
Nancy Tilton Fallows
ŠJuly 1997