Peace and War - by Levi Bilderback, Garden Intern 2016

Violence is everywhere. I ran away, as far away as I could because I saw into that hell that is war. I needed to find something better. “The evils of Lucy was all around me. I went running for answers.” –Kendrick Lamar. So many bad things are happening in this world, and it can be hard to think about.

I’ve seen that it is possible for us to work together as a species, but it means being vulnerable as well. Let your guard down and trust these people around you enough to not be malicious, or be scared away by who we are inside. It can be unnerving at first, but it has been ultimately rewarding.

This community is very aware of the state of our world, and they are concerned with how we, as residents of the world, are going to face the issues. Everyone has different skill sets, and will help you if you seek it.
The longer I stay here, the more it reinforces in me what it truly means to be a neighbor. Having community dinners is one of my favorite parts of being here. On Monday nights, we sing together from binders with songs by Pete Seeger and the Beatles, along with various show tunes, etc.  I unknowingly signed up for a dinner job that involved me leading the community in song. I was a little nervous, but I love to sing and thought, why not? I chose the songs, “If I Only Had a Brain,” “When I’m 64,” and “Five Green and Speckled Frogs.” I had a blast leading the community in song! It made me so happy.