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| This picture was submitted by Rebecca W., who also writes a blog that you can find here: Live completely, Love always, Laugh often |
Edward picked some dead flowers off a lavender plant to allow room for new spikes to grow. He crushed the plucked stems in his hand, brought them to his face and inhaled deeply; enjoying the pungent perfume that the lavender emitted. Opening his eyes, he scanned over the garden, looking for other plants that required his attention. Very little did, the garden looked fantastic. At this time of year, the garden was at its peak for blooms. He could see bees busily harvesting the nectar from the lavender plants, and could hear grasshoppers and birds chirping happily in the shade farther into the garden.
Recently retired as the chief horticulturalist for this garden, Edward still liked to come here and visit. Although he knew it was no longer his responsibility to tend the garden, his nature was still to peruse it for imperfections. The garden was in good hands though, Edward mentored the new chief horticulturalist for years and freely left it in the care of much younger and more enthusiastic gardeners. He was just happy that he was still a welcome visitor, and that they valued his input from time-to-time when he noticed a plant that required some extra attention.
Edward saw that there were lots of people here today visiting the garden on this hot, sunny afternoon. This garden was in a rural area, nestled between hobby farms and small acreages. The garden was not easy to get to; most visitors arrived by car. It made him happy that people took the time to come here.
Now that Edward was retired, he replaced his gardening tools with paint brushes, and often used the plants in this garden as his subjects. He dabbled with painting for years at the encouragement of his family doctor who thought the painting would be good for him. Little did he realize that Edward would develop a quiet passion for it, and not a small measure of talent. Now that he had more free time, Edward enjoyed spending hours standing in front of an easel instead of kneeling with his hands in the earth. The staff here at the garden seemed to enjoy when Edward came with with his canvases, brushes, paint kit, and easel; as a former employee they still never charged him for admittance and would often come over to look at his work and chat with him.
Edward wasn’t painting today though. He was here for another reason. The city’s horticulturist community invited Edward here today to plant a tree in honour for his years of service. In a newly cleared field that was a recent addition to the garden, Edward’s peers planted a Sequoia tree, one of the longest living and tallest trees in the world. This tree will thrive in its native west coast environment, and will be the centrepiece of the garden as they plan to landscape around its circumference. As Edward approached the new tree though, he was surprised to see that they had already fenced in the area where the Sequoia was planted. His friends and family were all gathered inside the fence line, waiting for him to arrive. As they saw him, everyone smiled and cheered. Only then did Edward notice the sign posted at the entrance to the new green space which read, “Edward’s Garden”.
Recently retired as the chief horticulturalist for this garden, Edward still liked to come here and visit. Although he knew it was no longer his responsibility to tend the garden, his nature was still to peruse it for imperfections. The garden was in good hands though, Edward mentored the new chief horticulturalist for years and freely left it in the care of much younger and more enthusiastic gardeners. He was just happy that he was still a welcome visitor, and that they valued his input from time-to-time when he noticed a plant that required some extra attention.
Edward saw that there were lots of people here today visiting the garden on this hot, sunny afternoon. This garden was in a rural area, nestled between hobby farms and small acreages. The garden was not easy to get to; most visitors arrived by car. It made him happy that people took the time to come here.
Now that Edward was retired, he replaced his gardening tools with paint brushes, and often used the plants in this garden as his subjects. He dabbled with painting for years at the encouragement of his family doctor who thought the painting would be good for him. Little did he realize that Edward would develop a quiet passion for it, and not a small measure of talent. Now that he had more free time, Edward enjoyed spending hours standing in front of an easel instead of kneeling with his hands in the earth. The staff here at the garden seemed to enjoy when Edward came with with his canvases, brushes, paint kit, and easel; as a former employee they still never charged him for admittance and would often come over to look at his work and chat with him.
Edward wasn’t painting today though. He was here for another reason. The city’s horticulturist community invited Edward here today to plant a tree in honour for his years of service. In a newly cleared field that was a recent addition to the garden, Edward’s peers planted a Sequoia tree, one of the longest living and tallest trees in the world. This tree will thrive in its native west coast environment, and will be the centrepiece of the garden as they plan to landscape around its circumference. As Edward approached the new tree though, he was surprised to see that they had already fenced in the area where the Sequoia was planted. His friends and family were all gathered inside the fence line, waiting for him to arrive. As they saw him, everyone smiled and cheered. Only then did Edward notice the sign posted at the entrance to the new green space which read, “Edward’s Garden”.
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