Planting Seeds

It was right before my high school’s holiday break, when I was called to the school office. The secretary pointed to the counselor’s office and I tentatively walked in. His smile reassured me that I hadn’t somehow gotten myself in trouble. 

He asked, “What are your plans over Christmas break?”


“I’d like to go skiing a couple times, and be with my friends.” I didn’t mention how I couldn’t wait to escape school and homework.


My counselor had other ideas.


He held out some seeds in his hand. Confusion must have registered in my eyes, because he said, “As a teenager you have more seeds in your hand than I do. You have years ahead to plant and see what will grow.” 


I nodded, unsure of where this was going.


He didn’t wait long to explain. “You have a couple weeks that can make a difference in some kid’s lives—if you want to plant some seeds of hope. Christmas break for some kids isn’t all that fun or easy. I was wondering if you could volunteer to be a big sister and friend to some lonely kids.”




It wasn’t what I had planned to do, but it was something I knew I could do. 


My counselor nodded and smiled, and said, “When you help kids it’s like planting seeds. Nothing grows if it isn’t planted.”


I came back after that Christmas break—having made some new young friends. Those little seeds were part of my life until I graduated a couple years later. I may not have changed their lives, but they helped change mine.


A new year brings opportunities to plant seeds—and to help others plant seeds too. 


 Cheers to a New Year, my amazing friends.


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