Life becomes so hectic this time of year that we find ourselves coming and going at the same time. It sometimes helps to take a few minutes to relax and ask ourselves what is important and meaningful in life. What are some things which give joy, peace and stability in a hectic world?
For me, gardening, plants and nature in general have been the underlying structure of my eight decades of life. Since earliest childhood I have been an outdoor person. About 200 feet from my back door were fields, hills, a creek, trees and miles of undeveloped land to explore. Around my childhood home was an acre of ground, about half of which was landscaped with large trees, hedges, lawns, flowers and vegetables.
When jobs were assigned to my sister, brothers and I, it was only natural for me to volunteer for gardening. By the time I was 14, I had responsibility for most of the gardening. My parents encouraged me by furnishing all the seeds, plants and tools that I needed. Both my mother and father enjoyed gardening and spent time teaching me and working with me.
I also spent time helping in a nearby local nursery, volunteering my time. My pay was plants and supplies, and most of all, the knowledge I gained. Later I worked for pay at a garden store. Then I went to college and obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture.
