Dear Reader:

Winter time for a gardener is a much needed period of time for reflection. Gardens have taught me that spirituality belongs to no particular denomination or religion, it is just a beautiful connection between us and our Creator in a place where we see, first-hand, the miracle of life.

Winter gives us time to reflect on the sights and lovely scents of summer and fall moon flowers, bright cheery gerber daisies, mums of all colors and sizes. Spring with azaleas, pear tree blossoms, and camellias all vying for most beautiful bloom in the garden and yards.

And right now, here in the lowcountry, we are in a new season, thanks to global warming, that I will call “Win-spring“…a little winter and a little spring sprinkled over the awakening plants and flowers. They look a little perplexed as if to ask, “Is it time to pop up already…our alarm was set for a few more weeks of snooze time?”

As I scurry to start watering plants again (really in February?) I think that, not only did the plants get cheated out of some probably much-needed rest, so have I. Watering a garden is a chore and not one I anticipated having to start this early…but the new plants have worked hard to pop up and they are really thirsty…deservedly so.

So until tomorrow…true spirituality is founded in harmony, balance, history, and healing. No matter the time or “off/on seasons” the garden is where I connect with God.

*It is so strange that this memory came back as I was just typing “harmony and balance.” I was probably about seven and was in a row boat (with an uncle I believe) and I was letting my hand trail in the water…mesmerized by the lazy ripples it made.

The rest of the family was on-shore (probably waiting for their boat ride) and the sun was just beginning to set. It must have been summer time. But suddenly…I felt connected. For the first time I realized that I wasn’t just connected to the people on shore, but to the boat, the water, the trees along the water’s edge, and the waning sun. I felt a surge of happiness like no other. At that moment I understood my connection in life.

Isn’t it strange that we spend the rest of our lives trying to re-capture these incidents of true connections to our universe and our Creator?

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Photos of my garden waking up – February or not…my first rose bloom and pear tree bud. My daffodils are almost ready- can hardly wait to show them to you!

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