More than the Garden...

I don't know if you're aware of this, but when a gardener can't garden, it's depressing. Certainly, if you're a gardener, you know. That being the case, you can imagine that I've been rather sad.

But this past weekend was a miracle! Late Sunday afternoon, I actually transplanted a few herbs and peppers from the nearby garden center. I was rewarded with mosquito bites, one ant bite, and a great feeling of satisfaction.

But that was just a half hour of transplanting. Earlier this weekend, I had the gift of children in the garden. That was the miracle.

​I didn't ask our little grands to spend time out there. Lately, I haven't found it a very inspiring space. But they didn't comment on the garden's poor appearance. Rather, they busied themselves, playing, laughing, and reminding me that there's still beauty out there.

Once our granddaughter Colette, age 10, finished filling the birdbath and taking a good look around, she decided to snap photos. I didn't think much of it, didn't think there was much to photograph, but I enjoyed watching her.

​Oliver, in his sweet, nine-year-old boy way, found two dozen different ways to have fun with the water hose. But first, he took it upon himself to do some watering, even dragging the hose to take care of the patio boxes -- no easy task and all his idea.

Colette is a gifted young artist, and she's also interested in photography. I was surprised and pleased by her photos and asked her to make a reel for Instagram, which she did.

From Colette:

Gardens give joy, peace, purpose. But children, so precious, give much more. It was Colette and Oliver who brought a smile to my face and my heart and, I believe, to our garden. 

Love and innocence.

God bless them and all children everywhere.