I have been searching for "something" to fill my life. Is it mid-life crisis?  Although I work part time in a professional job I find that I search for some connection with the earth. I had a small vegetable garden in my shady back yard many years ago. It gave me such meaningful opportunities to teach my 3 growing children about nature and nurturing and to appreciate where our food comes from.Vegetables were gradually replaced with perennials and herbs. I do love my flowers and shade plants but something was missing.

In April I was introduced to New Jerusalem Now in North Phialadelphia.  New Jerusalem Now is a residential recovery program.  It is a nondenominational spiritual community of mutual help engaged in a process of human development open to all you need it and wish to be part of its mission.  Founded in 1989 by Sister Margaret McKenna the mission is to facilitate transformation in recovery from drug and alcohol addictions for marginalized populations by providing an affordable spiritual and holistic approach to enhance the quality of life.

There in the abandoned adjacent lots are onsite organic vegetable gardens tended by the residents, volunteers and eaten by the residents and staff and distributed to the community.

This is my story of my time in the gardens, the solitude I find there, the frustrations, the learning process, the presence I am to the residents and the solidarity I find with them as we all try to nurture ourselves and each other, to heal and grow from the dark toward the light.

“Recovery is about the radical change from death to life, from darkness to light, from self-will to God's will. It involves the mystery of conversion and the aspiration to fullness of life in God. It requires risk and mutual support and the sharing of practical spirituality and wisdom. God must be the sole principle of this new way of life, this reordering of chaos."
-Sister Margaret McKenna, founding member and current director