Sanctuary

I fell in love with flowers as a very young girl, tagging along with my grandmother as she worked in her flower gardens. I would lie on the grass in the shade of the phlox, finding shapes and animals in the clouds overhead, waiting for Grandma to find a worm. I collected them in my hand, for what reason I have no idea, then returned them to the garden when Grandma was finished weeding.  Grandma's garden was a sanctuary for both her and me and a fascinating sight for anyone passing by. I spent hours entertaining myself by looking into the face of each lovely blossom and studying the intricate patterns of the petals. The vivid colors, the intoxicating fragrance, even the buzzing bees created in me a fondness that grew stronger with each passing summer. My passion for flowers followed me into adulthood, and now, following in my dear grandmother's footsteps, I have created my own sanctuary, a place filled with the same scents, the same colors, the same sweet faces that I loved as a child.  Sweet Williams, roses, tiger lilies, violets, daffodils, evening primroses, and, of course, phlox were amongst my favorites in Grandma's garden, and I have all but the tiger lilies in my gardens now.  Every time I walk by the phlox I am brought back to the carefree days of my childhood, when I ran barefoot amongst the flowers and lay in the shade of that glorious hedge of purple and white phlox.  I am reminded of my Grandmother and the passion we share of what, I believe, to be one of the most wonderful gifts of summer.

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