Lessons from the Garden began as a tribute to my neighbor, Rosie. Following a stroke that left her physically and mentally challenged ,she often wandered to the flower beds planted between her house and mine. I strategically placed lawn chairs from her front door to the garden where she rested every five or six steps. I would linger in the flower beds when I saw her coming and we would discuss my ‘gardening skills’. She oft times wouldn’t remember to eat or dress appropriately for the weather, but she could recall the names of every plant in the garden. She had advice for me on where and how to plant and nurture every rookie flora so it flourished beyond my wildest dreams.
When the babies came along, she instructed my success regarding child rearing with parables from the garden. Rosie had a way of showing me how to live my life through the trials and successes based in the flower beds. I cherished our times together. She inspired, chastised and challenged me as a woman, a mom, and a wife. She was quick to tell me, “You are a great Mom.” “You are a good wife.” “I’ll bet God loves you.” When she died something magical happened; the garden continued to ‘talk’ to me. It is these lessons of embracing life that I desire to pass on. Below I’ve included her story for you called: The First Rose of Summer.
Many of the stories are free to enjoy and some are for sale. These sale items are the monies that I use to help women in our “More Than Enough” program in an effort to continue passing it forward. The “More than Enough” program supports women and teens who find themselves in need of financial and emotional help due to divorce, widowhood and battering. We also train moms who desire to stay home to raise their children but need a source of income.
It is our hope to help equip the saints to be all they can be. Your purchases support this program. Thank you for your help!
