On a dynamic Sunday, Spring 2002, Richard Laws and I were installing the mechanical lift Richard had created to raise the greenhouse pyramid cap to vent excess heat.  The installation was somewhat dangerous due to the precarious pitch of the ladders we were both on.  We were dangling from our perch at the inside peak of the greenhouse when a fast moving storm got our attention with a sudden crack of lightning, too close to ignore.  There was really no functional way to climb down and escape immediately without dropping and potentially destroying the contraption and the garden bed labyrinth in the process.  We worked frantically in a giddy kind of way to temporarily secure the equipment to the greenhouse structure.  Multiple close lightening bolts emphasized the vulnerability of our situation.

As soon as we were able to, we scrambled down the ladders.  I immediately ran out the door toward safety, Richard close behind.  I had taken about two steps when an incredible flash of lightening bolted out of the ground below my foot.  My shoe was surrounded by an intense glow of brilliant white light.  I caught a stop action glimpse of Richard and thought, by the look on his face, that he had also been struck.  He said later that he saw the lightning extend over my head about 8 to 10 feet.  We were both temporarily too stunned to move.  When we finally realized that we had better run for shelter, I could barely walk because of a bruise on the bottom of my foot.  It was as if the earth had punched me but no electricity had passed into my body, I suspect because of the rubber soled running shoe I was wearing.

 While rejoicing my continued good fortune over a cup of tea in the shelter of my house, I realized that my previous assumptions about a lightening strike were not always correct.  My new interpretation was that my work on Earth was obviously not complete but I had better accelerate the process and seize the opportunities I have been given.  Richard and I did accelerate the pace of construction and on September 29, 2002, we acknowledged the completion of the first Global Children's Garden with a community celebration, feast and concert by South American musicians Ronsoli and Comacho.

While eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spring 2003 and the associated miracles of planting, evolution and expansion, I was stunned by the snow storm of a life time.  In an awesome display of nature's power, Gebo's structure was destroyed under 87 inches of snow.  Plans for Spring expansion of Global Children's Gardens into another community were temporarily halted.  While contemplating the hidden meaning of the greenhouse destruction, I realized clearly that to rebuild would require a community of support and involvement.

The necessary community support did manifest and by Spring of 2004 Gebo has been rebuilt dramatically improved over the first generation.  We are once again excited about Spring expansion and invite your involvement.