April 26, 2008: The Community Gathers for a Memorable Groundbreaking!

Daybreak’s eagerly anticipated community groundbreaking and ground blessing was held auspiciously on a warm, sunny day—one week after we braved snow, sleet and rain at our Earth Day outreach event. Groundbreaking was our first opportunity to meet as a group on the site of our future home and the excitement was palpable. Most of our members and several prospective members attended.

Erik, our resident DJ, provided us with Barry Manilow’s rendition of Daybreak to begin our homespun ceremony. We formed a circle around our big maple tree and used tall ladders to hang a colorful string of yellow “wish flags,” decorated with art and words by the community, on the lower branches.

Before placing our shovels into the grassy ground, there were several readings, songs and a toast. Readings included our Daybreak Declaration of Interdependence; a future vision of life in Daybreak crafted by Grace, our architect, and Kristin; and a blessing for a new home by the late Irish poet, John O’Donohue, read by Martha. We downed a little bubbly and offered some to the earth after Terri provided a beautiful toast that brought tears to some eyes.

Laura, a strong singer, led us in the chorus to Morning Has Broken, and sang to us a couple of verses she wrote for Daybreak. Julie accompanied on guitar and later led us in enthusiastic singing of the very apt Here Comes the Sun.

All who wanted took turns digging up a small clump of earth in the center of our circle. Then we all joined in a closing activity representing community interconnectedness: We tossed balls of red and yellow yarn from one person to another, across the circle, until we were all connected in a web by the brightly colored strands. As we tossed the yarn, we took turns calling out a simple wish for the community. Finally we cut the web into pieces for everyone to wrap around one of their wrists.

Groundbreaking ended with a wonderful gathering at Ken and Scot’s nearby home, where we enjoyed delicious food and time to hang out with each other inside and out on the patio. It was a day that we'll long remember, sure to bring smiles to our faces as we recall it over the years.