In one of my past blogs, I spoke about how I learned what happens when you explore dark crevices in your garden. You sometimes get stung.
Yesterday, I started pulling some weeds out of my garden, and a wasp started dive-bombing me. As he buzzed past my ear, I said, “Why can’t you just see that I’m not going to disturb your home? I just want to pull weeds.”
I started to look around for the wasps’ home. It was last fall that I demolished a big hive that grew under a wooden stump in my garden. As I pondered, I could hear the wasp start to rally up the troops. I spoke to the leader, “We have to establish some boundaries here. I’m just trying to maintain my home.”
The wasp spoke, “You took away our home.”
“Ya, but that is because your family stung me!” I replied.
“I only chased you because you had my brother in your sleeve. Once you released him, we left.”, said the wasp.
I’ve been stung by wasps many times. Whenever I enter their territory, we both get surprised.
I started to go back to the business of gardening and heard the words, “Sit down and listen!” When a wasp tells you to sit down, it’s wise to listen, so I sat in the middle of my backyard with my ears open.
The wasp continued, “We are just trying to survive.”
I said, “I understand that, but can’t we just live symbiotically? Or can’t you move to the field in back of me? I’m trying to take care of my house.”
The wasp replied, “Human’s are always trying to get rid of us. They don’t talk to us. Why don’t you just ask permission and I will leave you alone?”
I apologized to the wasp and asked for permission to pick weeds. The wasp left me alone.
Just like the wasp, I have challenged humans to ensure our house is safe. In this battle, I realized that the only things I have on my side are family and my tenacious attitude. I guess I’m a bit like a wasp.
After I left the garden, I walked inside and closed the door. I heard the words, “Are you done? I have work to do.”
I smiled and realized that the wasp was just looking for common courtesy and for the first time in 13 years we have an understanding. I replied, “Yes, I am done. Thank you.”
I resonate with the wasp. I’m just asking to be heard and understood. I’m taking the lead by standing up for my family and neighbors, and all I require is respect and someone to listen.
Namaste,
Lesley Wexler, heartabove.net
#TheGardenGuru