I felt a sense of helplessness entering the doors to the hospital – I have a lot children in my life who I love completely but I do not have my own so I cannot even begin to imagine what they must feel.  A reassuring smile was all I could offer to my passerbys.  I met Randy and Brooke in the cafeteria where they quickly caught me up on little Jax’s condition and we also discussed the whats and whereabouts of Megan Kates – a topic to make anyone chuckle and certainly allowed their minds to wander from the inevitable pain and unknown in their hearts for a brief moment.  Randy had to step away which left Brooke and I to chat.  She asked me whether I was religious and I answered honestly  and told her, “sometimes.”  The question was posed so she could explain her feelings, ask questions and really just so I could listen.  I appreciated that question from her, it stuck with me through the rest of our visit.  She apologized for not being able to take me to the hospital garden – I told her I had seen Randy’s pictures on facebook and that I was sure it was a special place.  I left Brooke with her Mom in little Jackson’s room and left with a heavy heart but with lot’s of love for the Smiths.

I busied myself through the elevators and hallways and got lost on my way to the parking garage - my displacement in the hospital led me right to the doors of the garden.  It is a beautiful day in Atlanta, the sun is bright and it is a crisp fall 70 degrees.  The garden was beautiful, they call it a teaching garden.  There were signs that explained how to brighten up your eating by adding color and described the different plants.  This garden is so much more than that though – there were families taking pictures, reading together and having moments of hope – looking for healing.  The garden gaveover its state of regrowth and beauty allowing these families to have special moments to share and to know there is life happening right before them in the Earth.  I am so touched today by the power of a simple garden, that it can give families and children who are so stripped of hope, a place where regrowth is tangible and beauty is visible to their eyes.  Brooke, my faith and my religion happens in moments like this.

For Randy, for Brooke, for Rhett and especially for Jackson - may over the next few days you find beauty, life and hope and that you visit the garden as a reminder that it is right before you.   I love you all.

A few weeks back I wrote about planting brussel sprouts.  These are very large plants and grow to be tall with hard stalks.  This process takes time, about 85-90 days.  For many weeks I will witness what will appear to be little growth.  Suddenly, out of nowhere an amazing large plant with blossoms will  emerge from the ground as if it is thanking me for my patient care over the weeks while it gained the courage and strength to grow tall.  It is curious to me that my plants have taught me patience or maybe I have learned patience which enables me to care so tenderly for my vegtables and herbs over time.  Either way, tonight I am thankful I have patience in my life – for me and for my plants.

Above is one of my brussel sprouts on the day it was transplanted about two weeks ago.  I cannot wait to serve the fruits of this plant during a beautiful fall dinner amongst loved ones.

I spent the afternoon with a special friend digging in the dirt at her new home.  This was not just just any new home. No, this home is a sanctuary of renewal, growth and healing.

She had plants, flowers and trees in their place.  We started to dig.  We planted small trees, rose bushes and the like.  We dug up weeds, and ugly bushes.  Each push of the shovel into the hard untended dirt gave new life to this front garden.

The front yard was covered in weeds, she has not moved in.  To avoid an abundance of painful silence, she has made a deal with her children that they will move in when cable is installed.  A distraction and comfort I fully support!  We moved from rose bushes to a medium sized tree would be planted in the lonely front yard.  She told me we needed a  20×20 foot space because the tree would grow a beautiful blue curtain.   We looked at the yard and strategized where it should grow.  We agreed it would be best at the corner where the driveway meets the yard.  This blue curtain would become a welcome to her and her children each day and would welcome loved ones overtime.  I do not understand why, but her words, it will grow a blue curtain are repeating in my thoughts over and over.  I am looking forward to watching this tree grow and to understanding what impact this blue curtain will have in my life.  Maybe it was the silence we shared or knowing how important this yard was, but today the dirt in my nails, between my toes and covering my arms felt so much more.

For my friend, may the dirt we dug today fill you with strength to heal, be a new place for growth and open your heart to love.

I have fully embraced mums!  When fall rolled around during my childhood, my mother would talk and talk about mums.  I did not appreciate their beauty.  She surrounded our house with mums and more mums.  On the walkway to the front door, on the side of the house by the garage and I’m pretty sure even around the pool (which was closed and had a fence around it).  I suppose she experienced the same comfort they bring for a fall season that I feel each time I look out my window.

To make today even better, I did a three mile walk this morning with my dear friend.  It is so nice to start the day that way.  Chat a bit, enjoy the crisp air, enjoy some silence and work off all the birthday cake I have been enjoying over the last week.

On my agenda today.  Plant my brussel sprouts.  I love brussel sprouts.  I cannot wait to make wonderful recipes.  I just learned you can make brussel sprout casserole!  My brothers used to tell me that brussel sprouts were dinosaur boogers, it wasn’t until my late twenties that I got over it.  Thank goodness I did, I’d been missing out for years.  I’m also planting onions.  I was very successful with green onions and chives over the summer (chives are still going strong) so I am very much looking forward to the success of my onions.

I lived the big city, big time life for 11 years in New York City and channeling my quieter side over the past year in Georgia has been the greatest journey I have experienced in life thus far.  During the drive from North to South, I literally dreamed of plants, flowers and green trees.

While living in New York, any living plant or flower I touch turned to dust, not really, but close.  I attribute this curse to my own inner struggles.  All of this changed when my hands touched sweet Southern soil.  I have a green thumb and it gives me life each day, it means something to me and I want to share.  Welcome, I hope you enjoy my journey of life through my stories of gardening, planting and life in the South.