gregoryjoel

Christianity, Down On the Farm, Faith, Food Insecurity, Food Justice, Friendship, Gifts, Grace, Grandchildren, Gratitude, Grief, Heroes, Humility, Opal's Farm, Prayer, Relationships, Role Models, Service to Others, Spirituality, Stories, Unity Unlimited, Inc., Urban Farming, Volunteers

Be Like Chuck

September 10, 2020 gregoryjoel

This is a difficult update to write today. Yesterday we learned that our friend, Chuck Briant, passed away unexpectedly on Monday. We are heartbroken by his passing. Chuck was a huge supporter and advocate for Opal’s Farm and I’m proud to call him my friend. Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Chuck and I met early last summer. Our mutual friend, Harrison had brought him out to the farm. Chuck fell in love with Opal’s Farm right away. He made it a point to stop by the farm frequently, even during the extreme heat of the Texas summer and the blustery chill of winter. He helped harvest, prepare beds for Spring, and keep everyone in line. The only time we didn’t see him was when he went out of town to visit his kids and grandkids.

During the lean times of our first year it was Chuck that helped us through. More than once it was his words that kept me from giving up when it seemed impossible to make our dream of an urban farm a reality. He had an uncanny ability to say just the right thing at just the right time. I can’t tell you how much his encouragement and wisdom helped me grow as not only the Farm Manager, but as a person.

He had an incredible servant’s heart – particularly when it came to making sure everyone had food, healthy food, on the table. His passion was contagious. Most importantly, he served with a humble spirit, often asking to remain anonymous in matters of service. He gave freely – something we should all aspire to.

I think we were all in shock yesterday when we heard the news. Today was a mix of tears and “Chuck stories”. It’s fitting that I was watering in new seed when I got the call yesterday. Chuck was always intent on watering everything in good – sometimes to a fault. He’d always ask if I needed to get some water down. “Those plants look like they need some water”. I could never convince him that they were going to be okay (especially since I’d watered earlier in the day. As I worked the tomato beds today, I could see him standing there with hose in hand.

We’re convinced that Chuck knew everyone. His network of friends was unbelievable, which isn’t surprising given who Chuck was. We used to joke that when we all get to heaven Chuck will be deep in conversation with Jesus and somebody will walk by and ask who that is over there talking to Chuck…

Chuck touched each one of us who knew him in a unique way and helped us all be better people. He is missed more than words can say. We wish everyone could “be like Chuck”. We’d all be better for it.

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Ahhhh… Rain Days…

September 2, 2020 gregoryjoel

Good Morning to All! It’s a great morning for me, our volunteers, and all our plants at Opal’s Farm. Over two-and-a-half inches of rain fell yesterday with more coming today. Temperatures have dropped to the seventies and eighties with the precipitation. I can only imagine the conversations going on between all the vegetable plants that survived the August heat. They must be joyous indeed!

We haven’t been able to go to Cowtown Farmers Market the last couple of weeks. Triple digits over the last month reduced vegetable production. However, the rain and somewhat cooler nights have helped our purple-hulled peas, cantaloupes, and squash. Judging from what was growing yesterday we should see you all on Saturday at Cowtown.

Many of you may remember our virtual Townhall about Opal’s Farm with Congressional candidate, Dr. Lisa Welch. Dr. Welch is running for Texas Congressional District 12, which includes much of Fort Worth. On Wednesday, September 9^th at 6:00 PM, we are honored to have Dr. Welch volunteering and working alongside us at Opal’s Farm. We are so grateful for Dr. Welch’s support for the work we do.

I’d also like to take time to thank Jesse Herrera and CoAct. I met Jesse several months before joining Grow SE and breaking ground at Opal’s Farm. For the last three years Jesse has been a major help to Opal’s Farm – meeting regularly to cement our core values, mission statement, and clarify our vision for the future. I could not do what I do without Jesse’s help (nor any of the Steering Committee members of Grow SE – it’s a team effort).

I often have far too much on my plate as Farm Manager. Our meetings with Jesse and Co Act have helped me and often reminded me that our vision – We imagine a world where diversity is evident, opportunities are plentiful, and divisions are crossed, all in pursuit of lasting unity. – is possible. We are so happy and grateful for Jesse, CoAct, and all those involved with Grow SE!

Acceptance, Belief, Christianity, Connection, Faith, Grace, Gratitude, Quotes, Spirituality, Thoughts From the Porch

“As long as we keep dividing our lives between events and people we would like to remember and those we would rather forget, we cannot claim the fullness of our beings as a gift of God to be grateful for. Let’s not be afraid to look at everything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.” – Henri Nouwen

August 26, 2020 gregoryjoel

Awe, Children, Community, Culture, Depression, Emotional Health, Family, Friendship, Generations, Gifts, Gratitude, Grief, Parents, Relationships, Resurrection, Survivors, Thoughts From the Porch, Writing

Time Out

August 6, 2020 gregoryjoel

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve sat down to write over the last couple of months. The words always fail to make the journey from my brain to my fingers. It’s not “writer’s block”. Emotions rise and shut down everything else in the process. Grief sucks.

I’ve been able to journal somewhat, but I often feel no one wants to hear another story about my grief and so it goes unfinished and unpublished. Unfortunately, that’s about all I can share these days. It doesn’t mean that other things, good things, haven’t been happening. It’s just that sadness and loss over-shadows them all. I miss my son…

I know this is part of the process. There will come a day when sorrow won’t dim the light all around. I’m not sure when that day is, but I know that it will come. My friend Jim used to tell me that in the meantime, it’s a mean time. Until I’m farther along in this journey I’ll feel what I need to feel and try not to be hard on myself…

Although the cloud of grief is never far away there’s much to be grateful for. I’m grateful for the love and support our family has received from so many friends. I’m grateful for Opal’s Farm and the reminder that life is circular – sow, harvest, and repeat – constant resurrection. Over the last couple of months, I’ve seen Jeremy honored in ways I never expected, and I’ve been given places to sit and still my spirit comforted by Jeremy’s “presence”.

One of Jeremy’s friends and fellow artist, Jay Wilkinson, painted a twenty-foot high mural of Jeremy on the side of Hop Fusion Brewery here in Fort Worth. It captures Jeremy perfectly and I can’t think of a better place to put it. Jeremy had done the indoor murals at the brewery. When this coronavirus lets up, I hope you all get a chance to have a cold one and check out Jeremy’s work. You don’t have to wait to see Jay’s work though. Thank you, Jay. You’ve given me a special place to just “be”.

Last Saturday, Juan Valazquez finished a mural at Mananaland, a local gallery where Jeremy had been artist in residence. His likeness now graces the whole front of the building. I was unable to be there when he painted (spray painted mind you!) the piece. Thanks to Desiree, Michael, Baillie, and Adrian for representing the family.

As for my WordPress community, I miss you all. I haven’t read much the last couple of months, so I haven’t maintained contact with those I follow and vice-versa. I’m simply taking a break and letting the process take me where it needs to. Love you all and hope to see you soon.