I often reflect on what my garden has provided for me over the years and what I'm thankful for. Immediately I think of family, friends, food and fun. Then also occasional frustration, although that always turns into a good lesson. Take patience for example. That is probably the best lesson my garden has taught me, and it's something I don't have a lot of. I'm grateful for that.
So when I asked others why they are thankful for their gardens, this is what they shared....
Food: There are herbs and drought-tolerant blooms in the garden growing strong now that most of our roses are deciding on dormancy. The blooms from the salvias are feeding local hummers and the hips sitting at the top of the climbers are feeding the resident squirrels as well as providing our doggie, Cupcake some exercise. Recently I shared some fresh sage with a neighbor friend to go with a butternut squash dish she prepared. It was so delicious, she decided to make it the next day and again, wanted just a “pinch more than yesterday”. - Denise
Friends: It’s amazing how even the briefest friendship can have a big impact on your life-sometimes literally changing it’s course forever. I haven’t seen or spoken to her in almost 20 years; but I think of Roxann every time I step outside of my front door. Roxann was a plant rescuer. Any half dried out, scraggly looking green thing was worthy of life to Roxann. She would bring them home, trim them and feed them, put them in a nice clean pot, and then find a home for them. I clearly remember the day she offered me Mr Mulberry (oh yes, she named them too!). He was a stick in a one gallon pot and his top had been broken off “but he’s so unusual and I just know he will be beautiful in your garden.” I planted Mr Mulberry right in the middle of my yard in 1995. He IS unusual because his top had been broken off young his limbs spread in an unusual way, and I have to admit he IS beautiful in my (now full shade) garden-in fact he’s the centrepiece of it. I look up at Mr Mulberry every morning and see Roxann’s big smile and even bigger heart and I rejoice.
Family: I never dreamed I would have a grandchild, nor did I dream of seeing the garden I love through the sparkling blue eyes of a two-year old granddaughter name Jacklyn Rose. I watch her explorations around a garden that is filled with edibles every season that she loves to pick and taste, from green beans to tomatoes to Clementines. She waits with anticipation, checking every day to see if the blueberries have turned from green to blue or the strawberries have turned red.
She always knows that there are butterflies on my Buddleia and Duranta Blue Skyflower and will stop to point out with excitement their magical flight patterns as they flit from flower to flower and can tell you in her sweet 2-year old language that Monarchs are orange. She doesn't miss a rose bush as she buries her beautiful face in every flower to smell their fragrance and delights in helping "Grammy" to water and dig with her little pink garden tools. My heart is full of love and gratitude for my beautiful garden and my "tiny" gardener and the experiences we have yet to share. There is truly no greater joy in life.
Fun: Our gardens bring us joy, providing fun not just for us, but for family and friends. Seasonal beauty to enhance our lives with color. Sweet scents to bring smiles to our faces. Delicious fruit and vegetables to enjoy cooking and sharing food. That's a lot to be grateful for.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! From The Mary Lou Heard Foundation.
