Peace Garden in Wilkinsburg
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Condello in person, an urban farmer - gardener - magician - activist - mentor who lives on Whitney Avenue in Wilkinsburg. I mentioned him in a recent post. Chris and his landlady, Casey, took me on a tour of the street and the neighborhood nearby, showing me the work that Chris and his young neighbors had done together. As I told you earlier, Chris' street, Whitney Avenue, has about 10 abandoned houses out of 22 homes on the street. Chris told me that the word in town used to be - "Avoid Whitney Avenue at all costs." It was seen as one of the most dangerous areas in Wilkinsburg. Chris showed me houses where formerly broken or boarded up windows are now covered with colorful murals painted on boards by an art group and kids on the street. He and friends keep all the abandoned yards mowed, and have planted flowers and vegetables around the houses. The lots behind and beside Chris' rented apartment have been transformed into Eden - apple trees, more varieties of tomatoes and zucchini and basil than I ever knew existed, grapes, berries, onions, herbs, flowers, swiss chard, pumpkins. Under the supervision of Chris' young neighbor, Brandon, kids from the street work in the garden and often can be seen sampling the fruits of their labors. They also sell some of the produce at a stand on the front porch of one of the empty houses.
The peace garden, above, was built by Chris and others on the corner of a block where a young man was murdered. Again, the community came together to work on this, and continues to maintain it.
I will tell only a tiny bit of Chris' story, because I really want you to visit his blog yourself and, if you are in Pittsburgh, to meet him in person. Chris told me about his decade-long heroin addiction that was so bad that his family lived with a constant fear of a phone call announcing either his death or arrest. He said to me that he has put so much bad karma out there in his life that he is trying to return as much good karma as he can. I asked Chris if he considered his garden and neighborhood work to be part of his recovery. His response - "It IS my recovery!" On Friday, before he left to install a water heater in a neighbor's home, Chris gave me some zucchini and onions, which we added to our own tomatoes, radishes, and lettuce for a good meal that night.
The peace garden, above, was built by Chris and others on the corner of a block where a young man was murdered. Again, the community came together to work on this, and continues to maintain it.
I will tell only a tiny bit of Chris' story, because I really want you to visit his blog yourself and, if you are in Pittsburgh, to meet him in person. Chris told me about his decade-long heroin addiction that was so bad that his family lived with a constant fear of a phone call announcing either his death or arrest. He said to me that he has put so much bad karma out there in his life that he is trying to return as much good karma as he can. I asked Chris if he considered his garden and neighborhood work to be part of his recovery. His response - "It IS my recovery!" On Friday, before he left to install a water heater in a neighbor's home, Chris gave me some zucchini and onions, which we added to our own tomatoes, radishes, and lettuce for a good meal that night.
I encourage you to read today's post on Chris' blog for a sense of the substantive work that he is doing and the leadership he is demonstrating. In short, Chris' helpers discovered that some other kids had wrecked the garden, throwing veggies around and tearing things up. The police were called, the kids were found, and, under adult supervision, the kids gathered up the ruined vegetables and put them in the composting bin. It is touching that the young boys who had helped to grow the garden told the other kids that they had trashed food that would cost a lot of money in the grocery.
The only word that I can think of to describe an experience like this - to describe what Chris does in general - is love (Chris, don't know if you agree or not - but that's how I see it!). Love, laced with generosity, forgiveness, accountability, and responsibility. Not bad. I know Chris does not consider himself a saint, however - he acknowledged feeling frustrated when people don't always pitch in to take care of the flowers that beautify the street. But the generosity, enthusiasm, and caring are what came through when I listened to Chris.
Michael and Leah's wedding is almost upon us! It will truly be a celebration with so many families and friends gathered together to bless this union. Leah and Michael have love - lots of it. They are patient with one another, generous, forgiving, kind. This is a good way to start a life-time together. Please keep them - and Chris and his kids and friends - in your heart and prayers.
Pictures below - Leah and Mikey, and the garden and young gardeners via Chris' blog.
The only word that I can think of to describe an experience like this - to describe what Chris does in general - is love (Chris, don't know if you agree or not - but that's how I see it!). Love, laced with generosity, forgiveness, accountability, and responsibility. Not bad. I know Chris does not consider himself a saint, however - he acknowledged feeling frustrated when people don't always pitch in to take care of the flowers that beautify the street. But the generosity, enthusiasm, and caring are what came through when I listened to Chris.
Michael and Leah's wedding is almost upon us! It will truly be a celebration with so many families and friends gathered together to bless this union. Leah and Michael have love - lots of it. They are patient with one another, generous, forgiving, kind. This is a good way to start a life-time together. Please keep them - and Chris and his kids and friends - in your heart and prayers.
Pictures below - Leah and Mikey, and the garden and young gardeners via Chris' blog.
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