The important little earthworm...

I always say this…I learn SO much from preschoolers.  Their observations, conclusions, assumptions, logic…it’s profound,  innocent, wise and wildly hysterical all at the same time.  During our earthworm study we always build an indoor “worm farm.”  This is a two gallon tub filled with rich soil, a few veggies, papers, things that will and
will not “recycle”into soil, about 10 worms and a sturdy lid with air holes for oxygen.  The children ADORE the
worm farm.  They get to daily dig for, handle and observe the habits of these wiggly, squirmy little creatures.

 They always ask LOTS of questions during this study…”Why do the worms like to dig?  “Why do they eat the dirt?” “Do worms poop?” “Why, why, why?” So…as the teacher I answer.  My favorite question is, “Why do we even need worms?”  This…this is my favorite question because it has so many answers.  On a simplistic level I answer…”They plow the dirt!”  But what they do is anything but simple and without the plowing the soil becomes too hard for anything to grow.  Think about dry, hard dirt…it starts losing its plant life and eventually becomes barren, unable to grow anything at all.  That soil requires extra water…LOTS of extra water, nutrients and TLC for anything to begin to sprout in it again.  
 
So…it is with honor that I declare, I am an earthworm.  Daily I plow through the fertile little minds of my students keeping them ready to learn at a moment’s notice…at each moment that presents an opportunity for enrichment. 
I am there holding little hands, digging in the dirt helping them uncover all the wonder and joy that it around them.  Each of us that have the unique privilege of raising, teaching and mentoring children are placed in this  position.  BUT…the choice is yours…will you be a little earthworm???  

Will you take the responsibility proudly to continually, consistently and often times going unnoticed “plow the soil?”  Will you ensure that you have enriched those you have touched, that you have left them in a better place to grow into  everything they are meant to be? 
 
It is imperative that those of us in this  position understand our importance regardless of recognition.  The alternate ending is a child that does not receive this kind of compassionate care, training, teaching and enrichment. 
What happens to those sweet lives…?

 Make no mistake…all you mommies, Sunday School teachers, daycare providers, daddies, grandparents, babysitters, preschool teachers…the work you do loving, teaching, caring for the sweet souls is no less  a miracle than the little earthworm that “one study showed that each year on an  acre (0.4 hectare) of average cultivated land, 16,000 pounds (7200 kg) of soil pass through earthworm guts and are deposited atop the soil”  (backyardnature.net).  That’s A LOT of plowing!

 It isn’t easy being an earthworm…and most of the time no one will notice, but to those whose lives you help to “plow” and “fertilize” your impact  will always be known and isn’t THAT the real reward?  
 
May we always seek to love, to give, to “plow the fields,”even  when…especially when, no one even realizes we are  there…