Healing by watching things grow

My sons and fiance make a special effort each spring and summer to help me plant a garden full of vegetables and care for my flower beds. They do all the work, while I plant the seeds, supervise, and water. The past few days here have been full of drenching rain. Over the past few weeks since prepping and planting, we watered and eagerly awaited the appearance of the sprouts from the dark soil. Just before the rains began, we saw a sudden spurt of growth at an amazing rate. With the recent rain, the plants have doubled. It is amazing to see it day by day, the tiny seeds sprouting, so very delicate and yet hardy at the same time.

It reminds me of dealing with pain. Each of us is like a seed, full of promise of what we could be and accomplish if given the right soil, sun and water, or in our cases, caring for ourselves with diet, medications, exercise of body, mind and heart. We all have dark days of rain and pain, but they can make the sunny days help us reach for the sun. Eventually, we can reap the benefits of caring for ourselves just like we harvest from a garden the vegetables. The flowers are simply there to feed my soul and spirit with beauty.

Sorry for the odd post. I just saw it brighten my day and hope it will brighten others.

Mindy

Hi Mindy,

I totally understand what you are feeling and saying. When my son passed away suddenly I buried myself in planting. You had to weave your way through the path and decks to hopefully find the front door. Hanging baskets were dripping with color and visible from everywhere in the house. Our roof extends over the wrap-around decks, front and back, and I hung them from every square inch of beam that I could.

But, watching and watering every day kept my mind more peaceful. I felt I had some control over something in my life at that time and it made me and others smile to look at them. We have had a very cool and wet spring too and I'm just getting to put tomatoes and some seeds in finally. My dahlias are beginning to peek out of their winter pots so I'm going to move them into the sunshine today. Even the sun helps not only the mind but the warmth helps the pain.

Thanks for posting this, Mindy.
Chutz

You are wholeheartedly welcome for a little bit of happiness. I am just glad that others were able to see it too.

Chutz, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your son. I can easily understand why you became lost in your garden. There are days that looking at the ever-changing plants is all that gets me through the day now.

I hope you are all having good days.
Mindy