Dear Earth, this is making me happy:

This rectangle of land in front of our flat, generously dressed in dark compost.

Mushroom compost, which arrived on a lorry and the man asked me to get my own pen to sign for it as he wasn’t allowed to lend me his or I might infect him. Bunny compost, made of our three bunnies’ poo and urine-soaked straw and newspaper, waiting in our four dalek composters. One of them was home to three fat rats and I squealed as they skittered to safety.

Why am I happy, dear Earth? Like all happinesses, it is of mixed heritage. Some comes from a release of tension. This compost cushions me from the fear of not having enough to eat. It represents the small control I do have, in a world that has handed me armfuls of powerlessness. It satisfies the parts of me that push me to Do More Stuff, and looking at it reminds me of my hard labour.

These happinesses are valid, and appropriate. I will enjoy them.

There is also the joy that comes from grace. Gratitude for the abundance of this nutrient-rich stuff, more than we’ve ever managed to gift our veg patch before. Excitement about the coming weeks, as chard and lettuce seeds will start sprouting and as the Turk’s Turban squashes and all the rest emerge in our window sill pots. Anticipation of the deliciousness of food grown metres away from our front door. Appreciation of the extra time we’ll have at weekends to tend it.

There will be troubles. I predict slugs, white fly on the kale, wild bunny nibbling and dud seeds. There will be more. This is is the deal with life – we do what we can, and we hand the rest over. Some years we have to abandon our hopes of blackcurrant jam, when the birds gorge on the lot when we’re not looking.

And, today I am happy. In return, I promise to water the baby courgette plants. I promise to stake the beans and put anti-slug sheep’s wool around their ankles. I promise to sow tender care with the seeds, and to say thank you for everything I harvest – to this compost, to Brother Sun, to the miracle-maker.

I promise to relish every drop of goodness that comes my way. It is my happy duty.

Thank you, dear Earth. Love, Satya <3