Gardening Saved My Sanity!

Besides being my favorite hobby, gardening literally brought me through the toughest time in my life. I would even go as far to say that gardening actually saved my sanity. When my parents were ill, then later died, I was at a loss of how to express my feelings. Being able to go out into my garden, plant new things and watch new flowers emerge restored my faith in life.

I was never big on gardening up until then, but now, years later, gardening has become my passion. I can't wait until spring when I can get out into my garden and get my hands into the soft dirt, plants new bulbs and envision new colors for the year.

I've even taken it a step further and plant some of my flowers from seed, which requires patience but also has a brand new element of satisfaction for me:

Seeing a tiny seed grow into a 12 foot sunflower- then harvesting the seeds to roast.....then to snack on them.... there is just no better way to see the cycle of life literally unfold before your eyes. I even go another step by recycling the tall sunflower stalks and using them the following year to prop up other fledgling plants in my garden.

The only prerequisite for a successful garden is a pair of willing hands, some dirt, a few seeds, and a desire to see life replicate. Gardening is actually very easy- you can do it on a small balcony in pots (which I've done) or you can go full out and plant a large yard full of flowers and shrubs (which is my current project). You can buy plants already started, or if you have the patience, you can start from seed. There are no wrongs or rights in gardening, if you lose a plant or it gets scrubby looking, well then you just pull it up and start something new (kind of like life , huh?) If a plant isn't doing well in one spot- then you just remove it and plant it somewhere it does like!

I see so many analogies to life through the plants I tend- the way they respond to light and water (just like people who respond to love) and the way they face adversity just like people- through harsh storms, lots of heat and even harsh pruning.

Gardening saved my sanity when I needed it most- when I needed to see that life does go on, that although there is death there is also life, that although colors may fade they can also reappear in even brighter brilliance, that although winter may come and things look absolutely bleak and dreary.............spring is always around the corner waiting to bring new revival and new life......

The only downside for me?

I can't garden all year long- but I sure try!