As a younger woman, I had no patience for gardening. I couldn't keep even the easiest-to-care-for plant alive. I liked plants, I just had a black thumb.
Then we moved into a place that had a small backyard that was covered in plants all the way around the house. Knowing how bad I was at keeping plants alive, my mom took the time to walk me around the house to educate me on each plant and how to care for it. It was a gift I have treasured ever since.
Gardening in California was easy. Everything grew as easily as weeds. I had flowers galore and grew vegetables. Then we moved to Las Vegas. Gardening there was more difficult, but I soon learned what I could and could not grow. My bulbs did great! I had fruit trees. And I learned to adore my cactus plants! After thirteen years, we were forced to move and ended up in the Midwest. Gardening here has been more of a challenge because of the severe winters and the hot humid summers, but I am learning.
This past Spring I spent several weeks at my parents' house in California where I grew up. I was inspired by the flowers and trees and beauty of my mom's yard. I was also inspired by the flower stands that were readily available to purchase flowers. So much beauty! When I got home, I was determined to do my best to replicate that beauty in my own yard. I bought plants and bulbs and flowers and planted them. I made sure I had bouquets of flowers on my kitchen table. I enjoyed it all. My yard didn't quite look like my mom's yard, but it was pretty good. I discovered it takes a LOT of work to keep flowers blooming! LOL! I will be continuing to work hard at making my yard lovely as long as I live in a house with a yard. I am so grateful to God for being able to work hard at gardening.
