Saturday, May 7, 2016
Vol. 2, No. 5
April Showers Bring May Flowers… How Does Your Garden Grow?
by Anne Fulcher
“I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth?” Edward Giobbi wrote these beautiful words and this time of year is one of happiness and elation as we clamber out from under our electric blankets and coats and sweaters. I have begun the planting process
for my little container garden on my patio. My Day Lilies and Gladiolas have already peaked their branches above the soil after months of being dormant. I find great joy sitting on the patio in the evening with my Mom and the dogs as we watch the sun go down amidst the glorious blooms of the flowers I so tenderly nurture. I nurture my lovelies like I used to nurture my children when they were tender and young. You see, you can have a garden that is not one of plants and vegetables. You can grow spiritually, educationally, emotionally and many more ways. Growth, as it is, comes in all forms. When I chose to go back to college, after thirty plus years in health care, I grew in a way I never anticipated I could. I fertilized my brain with knowledge, a new set of friends most who were younger than my youngest son, and the opportunity to travel the world. I fed new information to my old brain and it became like the soil, soaking in all that
knowledge. My garden grew by leaps and bounds! Change is hard, and we become complacent and don’t adjust well. I firmly believe we are never too old to stop growing. I have always felt that the day I stop learning is the day my heart stops beating. Is there something back in the recesses of your brain that has always been something you wanted to do? I can assure you that each and every one of us has something like that. Whether we choose to keep it our little secret because we think there is no way for us to grow in another direction or it just does not seem feasible, there is ALWAYS a way. If someone had told me that at this late date of my life I would have obtained a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree, I would have laughed in their face. You see, for over thirty years, it bugged me because I only had an Associate degree. I never told a soul, no one. Then things happened after I moved back from Virginia and I was put in a position where I didn’t have a job. I can tell you the time of day, where I was, and what I was wearing
when I told my best friend my secret….. that I wanted to go back to school. What a Blessing that growth has been for me. As Giobbi said my educational rebirth has brought me feelings of hope and joy and happiness that I have given myself through hard work and dedication. So, what type of garden do you need to grow? Do you have a passion that is near and dear to your heart but have not been brave enough to plant the seeds yet? The only thing that gets in our way of growth and rebirth is usually our self. I challenge you to till the ground, plant your seed, fertilize and water your garden and then see what grows. You may find your garden growth will flourish once you take care of it. We all have the ability to grow and change, plant your seeds today.