A year ago, having moved into the land of Semi-Retirement, I looked around for something meaningful to do. 

I've gardened forever, so it seemed perfectly natural to look around for volunteer work in that line.  At the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, I was introduced to the Earthworks Movement.  I won't dwell on the details but, as I recall, we were assembling bee frames.  Imagine a large, cluttered workroom, filled with the noise of hammers banging and volunteers of various ages and backgrounds chatting, and everybody is positive.  That's important.  No observations were looked down on.  Everyone was supportive and cheerful.  It took me three weeks to understand that this is how these volunteers and staff are...all the time. 

Adding to the significant contribution of labor and assistance by volunteers is a knowledge base that is three feet deep – a volunteer experience is often enhanced by discussion of farming techniques and food system issues, among a variety of other conversation topics.  We dig, sow, weed, measure, water, sing, tell jokes and enjoy fellowship in working with the earth.  There is much good being done here, and you see it being done because you are part of the doing.

In my pre-volunteer life, accomplishment was always marked by dollar signs.  Not here. 

You are gratified by smiles, enthusiastic agreement, friendliness and a sense of spiritual wellbeing which I find rare in these challenging times.  Has the experience changed me?  Well, is the Pope German?  I now belong to Earthworks and, I dare to say, in so many ways Earthworks belongs to me. 

Jim
An Earthworks Volunteer