How I Became A Gardener, Part 1

I was raised in an unhappy home. Only someone who has had a similar experience can know the damage this does to a child. Occasionally I was able to escape to my Great Uncle Archie’s garden. He let me roam freely; perhaps realizing I was an anxious child and needed the solace the garden offered. Archie was a Quaker and gardened like a Quaker-methodically, scientifically, respectfully, usefully. It was mostly vegetables but he couldn’t resist growing flowers entirely. Half way up on the right hand side was an arbor covered in sweet peas.

  Hidden inside, the soft, damp petals, fresh scent, and gentle colours, combined into a soothing balm. I pretended it was possible to stay there forever. Of course, it wasn’t. It has been a long road to this time of wisdom and joy. You have to hang on to the good memories and let go of the bad. Every year, in gratitude, in love, in remembrance, I plant sweet peas.