I Met the World at the Pumpkin Patch

CoddiwompleChic
Nov 6 · 5 min read
Pumpkin Patch

From mid-September through the day after Halloween you can find a colorful slice of urban countryside nestled at the corner of Nutley Street and Lee Highway. Situated between some high rise office buildings, a sprawling shopping center and a middle class neighborhood, this temporary taste of autumn brings happiness to everyone who meanders past. The gray paved lot is transformed into a vibrant carpet of pumpkins and mums which delight both the young and old.

Pumpkins and Mums were the main features

Smiles, pictures, and excited squeals from the children bring joy to my heart as I man the pumpkin stand for a month. The hours are long and the weather is sometimes brutal but the experience is like no other.

I have met the world in this little patch tucked into the corner of the shopping center parking lot next to the Wells Fargo Bank.

Impromptu photo sessions take place as families come to pick out their annual pumpkins. Children pull the wagons with enthusiastic effort and take pride in their strength. The local school system brings their special needs classes so every student has a chance to experience the beauty of fall. Gardeners stop by to pick up quality mums and pansies to round out their fall gardens. Employees of the surrounding office buildings spend quality time eagerly choosing just the right pumpkin for their office carving contests. Young couples spend just as much quality time thoughtfully choosing their pumpkins for a cozy carving date. Flustered dads sent on the perfect pumpkin mission agonize over their choices. The fear of disappointing their children is real. But in the rain on Halloween Eve, any pumpkin suddenly becomes the perfect pumpkin. Ha!

No one wanted to stop by in the rain on this particular day (but they did when it rained on Halloween Eve!)

Northern Virginia is a microcosm of the world to begin with so it was fascinating to see it converge within the 12 parking lot spaces that hosted the pumpkin patch.

A Malaysian lady here on a two year assignment bought a pot of mums and was intrigued by the short garden season of fall. Back in her warm climate country, plants grow year round.

Two ladies from Tajikistan here on green cards did not let their lack of English contain their excitement as they snapped photos around the patch and even took a selfie with me! The one was so cute when she tried to use her broken English to explain that her friend was a BBQ… she was attempting to say barber (i.e. hairdresser) but I contained my laughter til later because I was impressed with her desire to speak English.

An American girl brought her Asian friend as a right of passage — he had never carved a pumpkin before and she was determined to make it happen. This scenario actually played out on several different occasions.

A doctor from Saudi Arabia stopped by one evening for an impromptu English speaking practice session. As a former ESL teacher, I was happy to oblige. She is here for the express purpose of learning English. Her husband followed a similar path and is now back in Saudi Arabia working while she is here on her own. Before he left, he encouraged her to learn how to drive and get her license and she is hoping to follow through. I was impressed with her tenacity!

It was also a fascinating cultural exchange. We chatted about the weather and how the rain keeps people in this area inside unless they must be out in it. She said folks in her country come outside during the rain. It happens so seldom there that it is a happy, exciting occasion that brings people out into the streets to enjoy it!

She then talked about how her sister had recently given birth to a baby girl. She wanted to name her the word that means “queen” in Arabic but was told by the government that she could not. So now her baby was a week old… and still nameless.

The sunsets were incredible and after one miserable rainy day, a full rainbow was displayed — almost making it worth it!

I met a friendly Russian lady who was so sweet. We chatted like old friends and we even shook hands at the end of the conversation. It seemed too official for our exchange but a hug might have been too familiar.

A Hispanic family came with everyone in tow — grandma, grandpa, parents and several children — for their annual trek to the “Safeway Patch” for their pumpkins. Grandma was clearly in charge while grandpa watched his family with a quiet contentment and the father easily acquiesced to his (presumably) mother and children in all decisions.

There were tinges of sadness too as the pumpkin patch was not insulated from real life.

One lady was heading to Brooklyn for a private family graveside service and wanted to choose the best white mums to grace her mother’s tombstone.

Another lady came by to purchase two small white mums to bring to another funeral — this one of a teenager who had recently died in a car accident. Shortly after getting his driver’s license. He failed to wear a seat belt. A few tears were shed and the brevity of life reflected on during this transaction.

An elderly lady bought a couple of mums and then through conversation as I helped her carry them to her car, she revealed they were a peace offering for her daughter-in-law. The regret and sadness in her voice was heavy and my heart hurt for her as she initiated a hug before we parted ways.

I took time off this year from teaching to pursue other adventures. Working at a pumpkin patch was not on the original list of things to do. I am so grateful for the opportunity though as I had the privilege of sharing in the joys and sorrows that comprise the diverse world at the corner of Nutley Street and Lee Highway.

Morning to night surrounded by beautiful, vibrant colors!

CoddiwompleChic

Written by

Inspiring others to travel one story at a time. I am a travel blogger @ www.camerasuitcasego.com so my friends who travel vicariously through me can be inspired

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