“A garden is a reflection of its owner, a thing of beauty that changes over time, a window to the creativity within.” – Lee Miller
Change can be such a dreadful thing. Even when it is for the best, it is never easy. And, when a gardener must say goodbye to their beloved garden, it is more often than not – heartbreaking. I know this to be true from my own experience and from the experience of two dear friends.
When one decides to create a garden, thoughts of one day having to leave this love and creation never enters the mind. The reason or reasons for leaving do not matter, saying goodbye is extremely difficult. Truly, dreadful.
So, what is one to do when faced with leaving their beautiful garden? Well, first cry tears to fill buckets and cry for days, I did. Then, if your garden is falling into new hands; make charts, name plants and give as much detailed information as possible, in writing, to assist the new owners with the care and maintenance of the garden. Next, dig your treasures – either to take with you to your new garden or to put into the hands of someone you know who would love and care for them as you did.
With the move behind you, what is next? You may be faced with a massive yard to conquer or a tiny yard in which to place those 30 peonies and a wash tub of irises that you chose to move. Or perhaps, you have no yard and must learn about container gardening. Whatever your new situation may be, you will and must move forward.
Now, don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying you won’t mourn the loss of your old friends. You will worry and you will grieve, that will never go away. Even after twelve years, I still think of the beautiful friends in my previous garden, hoping they are well and continuing to create beauty with their magnificent blooms. But, I have a new friend and a different friend. Our current garden has different plants and it is a better garden. Why is it better? It is better because it enjoys the rewards of my experience. And, the same will be true for you. You will see a new garden alive and flourishing because of the many lessons learned from your previous garden.
Gardeners are such optimistic folks. They are a creative lot, always looking to another season, interested in learning ways to improve their gardens and learning about growing new plants. And, they strive to bring to life the following words written by Michael Pollan: “A garden should make you feel you’ve entered privileged space – a place not just set apart but reverberant – and it seems to me that, to achieve this, the gardener must put some kind of twist on the existing landscape, turn its prose into something nearer poetry.”
So chin up, gloves on – it’s time to create beauty…”poetry.” And, you will!
Au Revoir,
Sandra
Photo: home-and-garden.webshots.com
This is such an endearing post Sandra. You have touched on the true heart of the Gardener. Memories do “light the corners of my mind” when I think of beloved gardens I have left behind and yet you are perfectly correct in saying that a Gardener always finds new ways to create poetry with our love of flowers and our insatiable desire to watch them bloom. Thank you. ?
Ah, Louise: You are the best – Thank You for your kind words!
Sandra – this is such a heartfelt, beautiful post. All gardeners can relate and others can replace garden with whatever they leave behind when change comes. I am so blessed that our garden paths have crossed. Thank you for sharing these words & yourself with us
Dear Kelly: Thanks so much for your kind words. I know many gardeners have left their piece of paradise. I always try to believe that the ones who follow understand what has been put in their hands.
Thank you for taking the time to comment here today and I too, feel blessed our paths have crossed.
Kindest Regards,
Sandra
What a lovely piece you’ve shared. I’ve just purchased the home and garden of a lovely lady that passed away. She spent many, many years in this garden, though the last years cancer took her away from her beloved haven. In my cleaning out the over grown spaces, I’ve found many “rooms”, unusual plants and shrub covered benches just waiting for me to discover. As I’m there I feel her presence and am honored to have been given her treasure. After leaving my lifelong garden to another family, I’m reminded of the quote from THE SECRET GARDEN book. “If you look the right way you can see that the whole World is a garden.” Cheers to new gardens, great memories and those gardeners that create them.
Dear Jane: Thank you so much for sharing your story and for taking the time to comment here. I am sure the sweet soul, whose garden you have inherited, is pleased beyond words , and is guiding you along on your journey of discovery.
I agree with your cheers to new gardens, memories and gardeners. Gardeners share such a special bond and do make the absolute very best of friends.
Again, thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you will return.
Kindest Regards,
Sandra
Beautiful post. Heartfelt and inspiring!
I bookmarked and pinned for rereading. So much to ponder!
Many thanks, Bonnie
Sandra, what a lheartfelt post. I can’t imagine if I must leave my garden one day, how heart wrenching it would be. Your words would be brought to my mind for sure. Thanks for sharing at Gardens Galore!
Pam, it is heart-wrenching to leave a garden – but I now have a new garden which benefits from my experience of my previous one. Thank you sweet friend for your kind comments
Oh Sandra, I too left a cherished garden 2 years ago. It was hard, but I love where we have landed with even more room to garden (we were supposed to downsize – ha ha). Happy creating new garden spaces.
I feel the same way Joanna. It was dreadful to leave my garden, but I enjoy our new garden and seeing it come to life. Thanks for your visit.