Just through the red door lies a mystical place where live the little known creatures, the ones the world looks upon as myth and legend.
In this realm, they live and breathe, just the same as you and I. Journey with me through the red door, to the place of imagination and we will find a new dimension of reality.
The new day calls out with an invitation from those beyond the red door. It is they who wish to meet us and become friends!
I hear Grandpa Ansel, a respected elder, calling now, his voice strong and commanding.
“Hark, noble ones of the realm!”
On the other side, the day is fully dawned and well underway. There sits Grandpa Ansel, not as spry as he once was, relishing the sun on his head and the feel of mother earth in his hands. To only himself, I hear him say, “Age brings advantage, though I doubt anyone would believe me.”
His energy renewing in the warmth of the life-giving sun, he says aloud, to no one in particular, “Plants aren’t the only thing to appreciate the sunlight.”
With a new appreciation for another spring morning bringing life back to all of creation, the subtle changes around him were not wasted on our ancient one. Being granted a new day was a privilege Grandpa Ansel embraced.
Some distance from Grandpa we see progress being made in the garden. Once upon a day, Grandpa would be actively working alongside, giving life to the traditions of his people. Today, he knows he is no longer needed. His lifetime’s wisdom imparted, he observed that his many students had learned well.
All that he knew he had freely shared, just as he had freely received, back in the day. From generation to generation the traditions, methods, and knowledge had been preserved. There was no need for ‘The Book,’ fond as he was of his volume. He could still recite whole passages, word for word. Of course, so could the many gnomes toiling over yonder.
Shifting his attention from the gardeners, Grandpa noticed the ants, his only company near his favorite perch. This ancient fallen log, slowly returning its life back to the dirt from which it had come, was home to an army of ants.
On fair weather days, everyone knew this was the place to find Grandpa Ansel and Grandma Elena knew it well, as she headed there with a passel of youth in tow. Looking up and seeing the entourage approaching, Grandpa called out, “Gather close and hear the wisdom of age, for you have just begun and have much to learn.”
Eager to hear Grandpa’s story, the young gnomes clamored for position close to their beloved elder. Everyone called him ‘Grandpa’ even those who were no blood relation and it delighted the old gnome’s heart.
“Take care now, so you don’t disturb the ant hill,” he cautioned. “Observe the insects closely now. Can you count them?”
“No, Grandpa. They come and go too quickly and I can’t tell them apart as they go in and come out,” answered Mathilda.
“They’re so busy, darting here and there and carrying things. Then they disappear into the mound of dirt at the base of the log,” Lander said. “What is it they are busy doing?”
“You have a keen eye, Lander. They are busy and very industrious. There is a great deal we can learn from the ants. They are among the wise in all of creation. They have no boss commanding them and no one to oversee their activity, yet they work and do the right thing. Young Lander, will you always do what you should do, even if no one is looking?” Lander nodded.
As for the ant, just like us garden gnomes, the spring work has begun. Right now, they are preparing for the early eggs to be laid. Conditions must be perfect in order for the next generation to hatch. Beneath the surface, and in this old log, chambers are being built to house the eggs. Soon enough, the ants focus will shift from preparation for the next generation to gathering enough food to grow them up. Soon enough the young will join the mature ants and collectively they will store enough food to sustain the entire colony through the long winter months. Their work never ends through this busy season, though the jobs change.
The ants understand that, in season, there is not a moment to waste. The older ants give their lives to preserve the lives of the next generation. The ants are effective because they understand the power of unity. There is not one ant here who is not working toward the common good of the colony.
Like the ant, if we will all recognize one goal and collectively work toward achieving it, we will be successful.
They are like one body, made up of many parts, just as your body has many parts. Some parts are more noticeable and seemingly important, but even the seemingly more important parts cannot function with the seemingly lesser parts. You see, in the ant hill and in your lives, there are no minor roles.
As each of you young’uns grow, you will find your role in life. Some roles will look more important while other roles may be less glamorous and more behind the scenes, but the truth of the matter is, it is the behind the scenes roles that support the more prominent roles. Inside this old log is a queen ant of the colony, called a gyne, and her job is to lay eggs. It is an essential job, but she cannot do more than lay eggs. Others are needed to transport the eggs to the prepared chambers, others babysit the eggs, others bring food for the queen ant, others work on maintaining the ant hill. So it is with all of you here in our colony. If any one of you is missing, the whole colony feels your absence.
Pausing, Grandpa Ansel caught the eyes and attention of every young one. “Know this. You matter. You are valued. You are worthy. You are appreciated. You are enough and you are loved. You are unique, special and necessary to all of our well-being. You are each an original so stay true to yourself, for everyone else is already taken. And always remember, each of you is an important part of this time and this place.”