A mindfulness
activity for me is being out in my garden where so easily I can spend
hours pottering around, pulling out weeds, moving plants around or simply
listening to the sounds of the garden. "I am a lucky woman" as Mma
Precious Ramotswe of the No. 1 Detective
Agency always tells her readers. Lucky to have the luxury of time and space to 'just be' in this peaceful place over the weekend in my spare time. Lucky to be able to sit down
with a cuppa and dream of what I would do if I had the energy (my ideas involve
a lot of landscaping!).
As I sit and sip my tea, I reflect on my gardening
influences. There are two people who come to mind. My aunt Dibbs, and her
mother-in-law, Granny Mary.
Granny Mary lived in a cottage perched on huge granite
boulders with a secret path winding down between massive rocks, to the beach. At high
tide the path would be impassable as the icy water raced up the narrow channel and splashed
against the rocks. Granny Mary's steep section meant that she had various 'rooms'
nestled in amongst the boulders with a series of paths winding between and through
the garden rooms. Sweet fragrances would envelope you as you meandered along
the footpath while stepping lightly over the abundant perennials and flowering
bulbs proudly displayed on their elegant stems. A terraced rockery was
traversed by a narrow path that zigzagged its way to the top.
Garden ornaments to delight any child, including gnomes, fairies and bird baths were plentiful and scattered throughout, presenting surprises around every corner. A
total wonderland to play in as wind chimes gently filled the hazy ocean air and
competed with the restless ocean bashing against the rocks as the tide came in.
Sadly, I do not have a photograph of her lovely garden, but
it will be forever imprinted in my mind. It is what I reference for garden
design ideas. Little curved paths carved into flower beds, with a feature at
the end. A garden chair placed so that you can be immersed in the garden to sit and ponder or just sit. A bowl of water
for the birds (or cat!) to drink from.
My other influence, was my lovely aunt, Dibbs, who sowed the
seeds of goodness and kindness and helped me grow my approach to life. She
stepped in when I lost my mother at a young age and treated me like her own. I
do not know where my life would have lead were it not for the love and
generosity she gave selflessly. I hope I am able to spread a mere glimmer of
the joy and goodness she caste over me, which makes me a happy, and not only, a
"lucky woman".
Have a great week x
