Starting seeds while there is still snow on the ground is one of the things that gets me through the doldrums of winter in anticipation of spring. Over the years, James has helped me create our own little growing system in the basement, using a potting bench I built with my dad and a folding table or two. In the beginning, I tried to everything just so, with only certain equipment, lighting, timers and soil mixes. But, over the years, experience has taught me that the key to getting my sprouts all started has little to do with buying expensive grow lights or hydration systems. It has little to do with the exact soil composition (I’ve learned that using our own compost and a bit of seed starting mix will do just fine). What gets my seeds sprouting and growing is how close they are to the light. Not what kind of light, mind you, just how close they are to it.

• 

• 

The close light source allows the plants to grow at a normal pace, without trying to overly elongate the stems just to reach the nearest light source. Keeping the light very close to the plants lets them soak it up without compromising the integrity of the stems, which is crucial for survival out in the wind and rain.

So, our system doesn’t involve any expensive bulbs or lights. It doesn’t have a purple glow or a full-spectrum anything. In fact, we use fluorescent shop lights that we just had on hand. And they do the job perfectly.

I try to remind myself of this when I’m just not feeling like my joyful self. When I am faced with what feels like the daunting task at times of enthusiastically encouraging ten year olds when I feel far from enthusiastic about anything. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter that the light is artificial. Or that it is an old, rusty, dusty shop light. It doesn’t matter that the cords are a tangled mess and that there’s more than one multi-plug in use just to get power to where we need it to be. What matters is that I bring that light as close as I can to each student. That I spend every day saying something meaningful and positive and specific to each student to brighten them up, encourage them and to help them grow.

My plants are ready to transition to the outdoors. They have enough leaves to soak up the actual sun and strong enough stems and roots to support them in a summer breeze or April rain. I hope that the joy I bring to my students, even when it is far from perfect sunlight, I hope my proximity, my desire to be close and constant, provides each one of my students with the support they need to go out into the world with confidence and strength. I hope that this light is a blessed little thing that helps each one of them bear fruit and multiply joy.