Seedfolks, Paul Fleishman novel study: Wendell reflections

Originally a farmer from Kentucky, Wendell is a school caretaker, living on the ground floor of the building overlooking the vacant lot. Ana depends on Wendell to help her out since she’s a senior that’s not too mobile; unfortunately, they also connect over ethnicity. Having been a farmer, Wendell knows the right time for planting certain vegetables. Indirectly, Kim has helped Wendell reconnect with his farming skills. Wendell now realizes that it’s useless to dwell on things that have gone wrong in his life and that can’t be changed. He decides to focus on more positive things such as helping others. Wendell visits the lot to “change it big” by offering his help and expertise, putting his efforts and energy in the garden. At first, Wendell seems irritable, anxious, pessimistic (worried about phone ringing with more bad news) but then becomes positive, helpful, caring, optimistic, religious. God is working through Kim: the garden will offer Wendell peace and serenity; it will soothe his anxieties and help him move on, not dwelling on his family tragedies. (Bible quote Wendell references: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.) All of God’s creation is living in harmony and peace. Wendell is making a connection to this Scripture passage.