Mother’s Day: A Day to Reconnect - Guest Writer Sunshine Davis

I just moved to Bozeman, Montana after an eight year absence, and the past few weeks have
been an overwhelming whirlwind of unpacking, reconnecting, negotiating the changing seasons,
and responding to regular requests from many people, including my mom. Whether it was an
invitation to go dancing, a call for a surrogate mid-day lamb feeder, or transport for a thrift store
drop off, I won’t lie, the requests at first were almost exhausting as I tried to adjust to a new life
schedule. But as mother’s day approaches and Montana’s long winter days have suddenly
become incredibly pleasant spring days, I’ve become more thrilled than ever to have the
opportunity to spend this spring and summer helping out the most wonderful woman I know.
Spending the time with my mom a few days a week has been the one consistent thread
weaving through my struggles to re-establish myself in my hometown. As I support her through
assistance with farm help and computer work, she supports me through patient listening and,
whether she knows it or not, ongoing teachings on the complications of proper irrigation, early
season planting, worm composting, and weeding. She also feeds me fresh greens, which helps
brighten even a sunny mood!
Being raised on a Montana farm (the same farm my mom still runs) with fertile soils, plenty of
open space, and abundant water sources, was an ideal start to my gardening career. However,
my experiences and Montana skill set did not prepare me for the challenges I’ve faced in the
last few years as I struggled with a whole new realm of backyard container gardening in
Arizona. I’ll be sharing more of my experiences and challenges here soon, as well as tips and
information for making your own backyard gardening endeavors successful.
But in the meantime, I’m going to get outside, stick some tools in the dirt, and enjoy
reconnecting with my mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
-Sunshine Davis