I have never been great at gardening and I still struggle. I am also not great with bugs but acknowledge their importance. There is, however, something about the second chances with gardening that keeps me coming back. Rarely do you encounter a completely dead-end result and perhaps because of this, despite repeated failures, I continue to expand my knowledge of the natural world. My eagerness to learn and adapt grows every year, even when I am faced with new challenges. I firmly believe that self-sufficiency is an incredible skill to learn and an important one to strive for at any age. One of the more rewarding aspects of my journey has been introducing my small children to this mindset. We aren't perfect, but we do what we can with the space we are given. I show them that Mother Nature does not hold back and they enjoy finding her little cohorts pop up in the most unexpected places. They take notice of even the tiniest mushrooms growing under flowers or the color difference on a leaf. I teach my children these unexpected discoveries are not mistakes. What better way to learn about that which surrounds you. Question everything and find whimsy in your world. We are all renters here on this planet, after all. From sustainability practices in a suburban setting to responsible consumption and even discovering wild edibles, embracing my children's curiosity with facts of the world around them is extraordinary. They appreciate their environments more and look forward to sharing a moment with someone else. They are excited to help and take pride in their small victories. And, I assure you, they always come back for more. It has never been more apparent how integral our understanding of nature must be in order to thrive in all types of situations. Things get less daunting the more you learn. Learning is the only way we grow. Our missed attempts become the fuel we need to keep going. Nature always seems to have our back as long as we are willing to grow with her.