Weeds Win...Everytime

Last week, we went to the Fort Worth Nature Center to offer our help. There were a variety of projects that needed more man power due to their small staff. This particular week, we were assigned to the Bison Viewing Deck which had become less of a deck over time. The deck had multiple holes in the food that was dangerous to visitors. Also, surrounding the observation deck was an overgrowth of greenery. Bush, poison ivy, and weeds covered the surrounding deck. Dead tree branches hung right above the deck, waiting to crash down to Earth at a moment’s notice. Also, vines, dead or alive, had infested in the chain-linked fence to the point where the fence was not even visible. Our role was to clear everything so that the Bison Viewing Deck can be used again. An intimidating task to say the least.  The sheer amount of overgrowth I thought spoke to the power of nature. At what feels like a moment’s notice, the environment can take over and have its way, no questions asked

            Eventually, we got to work and took our best swing at clearing the overgrowth. For some us, that is a very literal statement as well. I had the honor of wielding one of the machetes on hand. While, I enjoyed my time using the machete which occasionally turned into a medieval times reenactment, but the use of the machete itself was incredibly ineffective. I envisioned my swings at the bushes like I was Indiana Jones clearing everything with one swipe. The issue was the sword was so dull that I was just making dents in the branches. I turned my attention elsewhere once I realized that my dream of being a one-man machete machine was unrealistic. We spent the next two hours endlessly pulling, chopping, slicing, and sawing branches, brush, and whatever unwanted plants were in our way.

            I think the main takeaway from this physical labor was the idea that we are at the mercy of the environment around us. While I am humbled in the face of hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, I am also humbled while pulling weeds or chopping down dead branches. The reality is that I was spending several sweating hours for only those same weeds, branches, and greenery to grow right back in due time. This battle of longevity that is consistently fought only to lose every single time. That is unless my machete starts working, then we are back in business for sure. In the meantime, I will be waving the white flag.