July 6, 2008

Alaska

My daughter is leaving for Alaska. She is 23 years old with her whole life ahead of her. When I was 23, I found my first full-time job, bought my first car and rented my first apartment. That spring, I planted coleus on a thin strip of earth bordering the concrete patio. This was my first gardening mistake as they burned up over the summer.

Now 33 years later, my garden is a third of an acre, and mature, with an oak overstory 50+ years old. The azaleas beneath them were already established when we bought our home 20 years ago. Understory trees like dogwoods and pawpaws are at least 10 years old. Garden beds with a variety of shrubs and perennials meander here and there, reflecting my interests over the years.
There is a satisfaction in the ease and familiarity of a mature garden. I enjoy the constancy and comfort of memories spanning 20 years. A garden slowly takes shape after a thousand small decisions over time. And while I ask myself why I didn't plant redbuds instread of crape myrtles, for the most part, I am comfortable with my garden.
Sometimes at night, I dream I am 23 years old. I wake up longing to have those years back. But if that were possible, it would require giving up my garden.

4 Comments:

Blogger lizziebrod said...

Meg,
Beautiful picture of your crepe myrtle. After seeing that picture do you really wish that were a redbud instead? Your yard is beautiful. It looks like a botanical garden.

Good luck to J. in Alaska. She is so adventurous! I guess she's building a garden of experiences and memories.

July 7, 2008 at 8:14 PM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

michael kors outlet, louboutin shoes, louis vuitton outlet, oakley sunglasses, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton, ray ban sunglasses, tiffany and co, prada handbags, oakley sunglasses cheap, kate spade outlet, oakley sunglasses, coach outlet store online, polo ralph lauren, michael kors outlet online sale, michael kors outlet, louboutin, michael kors outlet, longchamp handbags, nike shoes, coach factory outlet, air max, longchamp handbags, kate spade handbags, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton outlet stores, polo ralph lauren outlet, air max, prada outlet, coach purses, burberry outlet, nike free, jordan shoes, michael kors outlet, gucci outlet, chanel handbags, louboutin outlet, burberry outlet, tory burch outlet, true religion jeans, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin, coach outlet, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet, tiffany and co, true religion jeans

December 30, 2014 at 9:56 AM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

nike roshe run, birkin bag, ugg, reebok outlet, uggs, lululemon outlet, canada goose, new balance shoes, p90x, ugg australia, mcm handbags, canada goose outlet, herve leger, ugg boots clearance, chi flat iron, jimmy choo outlet, canada goose jackets, marc jacobs, soccer shoes, instyler, ferragamo shoes, abercrombie and fitch, mac cosmetics, soccer jerseys, valentino shoes, giuseppe zanotti, bottega veneta, north face jackets, rolex watches, mont blanc, ghd, ugg boots, wedding dresses, insanity workout, asics running shoes, vans shoes, north face outlet, uggs outlet, babyliss pro, nfl jerseys, beats by dre, celine handbags, canada goose, ugg pas cher, ugg boots

December 30, 2014 at 10:15 AM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

air max, canada goose, pandora charms, montre homme, iphone 6 cases, timberland boots, converse shoes, hollister, juicy couture outlet, moncler, juicy couture outlet, lancel, moncler outlet, canada goose, converse, supra shoes, moncler, swarovski, thomas sabo, moncler, pandora charms, vans, karen millen, ugg, ralph lauren, hollister, canada goose uk, moncler, coach outlet store online, ray ban, gucci, canada goose, parajumpers, moncler, air max, hollister clothing store, louboutin, toms shoes, ugg, baseball bats, swarovski crystal, oakley, moncler, links of london, wedding dresses, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry, rolex watches

December 30, 2014 at 10:20 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home