This year Emma and I volunteered for the Autumn Lights Festival with the bonsai garden. We help set up and also worked the event for two of the nights. Emma was able to explore the festival solo which was very exciting for them.
Setting up the lights of the “river bed.”
photo by Robert
Selfie when we walked around the festival together.
Cute bird house outside of the bonsai garden.
These were my colorful wristbands.
Emma Clover and a new to her rustic style broom from the bonsai garden.
We have been visiting the Gardens of Lake Merritt since we moved here when Emma turned two.
She has always wanted to grow up and be a helper in the bonsai garden.
The master gardeners have been very patient with her and over the years invited her to watch and learn.
During the pandemic she showed up a lot more often, willing to help out in any way she could. There was lots of sweeping and raking leaves which she loved.
Now they give her small jobs like weeding with tweezers. She likes being trusted with the care of their special trees.
The docents and gardeners are mostly older and appreciate her eagerness. They tell me she is very polite and always welcome.
For a child who is stuck at home with her parents it is a blessing to learn from someone new, and to see others faces light up when she visits.