I am not the only gardener in the family. My husband and I planted a delightful little violet willow tree together, my 4 year old has been a very busy helper as I put in the seeds for all out vegetables and we have all been excited about the little plants we placed at the front yard, which should eventually provide us with a nice hedge. As a little pat on the back I even picked up a few pretty little garden decorations. It felt so official, I am a gardener, as I picked out GARDEN DECORATIONS.
A little potted marigold came home with my youngest from Sunday School. We watered and pampered it for a few days and then yesterday he requested we plant it outside. Together we dug a cozy spot for it and popped it in next to some other happy plants. Patting the dirt in safely around the plant he said a sweet farewell to it. I let him know he could come and visit his flower any time he liked. The whole experience had him very pleased. A little gardening buddy in the making? I am truly thankful that I have the energy to garden this year, and the strength to take the time to include the kids. Gardening is best shared… although I do still occasionally garden in the rain when I want a break, as I know the kids will not follow.
Bugs are also part of the gardeners life. So far I have a lot of ants bugging my beds but they supposedly will not harm the plants. My littlest man always manages to find a bug pet. Last year it was a fuzzy caterpillar aptly named FUZZY and this year it is a boy ladybug named FLASH. Ages ago he started bringing me this little orange lady bug, telling me all about how fast and wonderful Flash the ladybug was. I am sure this little bug is long gone, as they likely all have short life cycles, but in my boys world the bug is still around and always coming back to visit him. He is sure he can recognise Flash because he is, of course, the fastest ladybug in our yard. I can’t help but grin when he comes to me bursting with pleasure, “Mom, Flash came back! See he is on my hand, and so friendly. Awe he likes me a lot Mom”.
I am so pleased with gardening this year, in our own yard, it makes it a lot easier for me to get out and fuss with it daily. I find gardening has encouraged me to slow life down, just like when I got my dog. You can let these things make life feel more rushed by smashing them in with way to much other activity or you can let them slow down your days in a pleasant way. This required I let go of some other less valuable time takers but if busy is replaced with a relaxing pass time I say win win!
Time for Flash the bug, Riddick the dog and my boy and I to take a walk around the neighbourhood and enjoy that fresh feeling after a good rain. May your day be blessed with a slower pace!
Always Lady Mac an Rothaich
TTFN
