by Chloe Cole

Created on: May 28, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

I built a flower garden out of love.

I signed the closing papers for my house on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. At the time I was unaware of the tragedy that was falling upon our great nation. Afterwards I headed straight to work, as I walked by the production manager's office I saw a terrifying sight. A airplane crashing into the world trade center. I popped my head into the office and questioned, " What are you watching? This isn't real is it?" My heart sank as I listened to the news coverage. My aunt was an airline stewardess, I prayed she was not aboard that flight.

After working the rest of my shift I drove out to my new home. The place was a mess, the lawn was in bad need of a brush hog. Trash was everywhere, inside and out. The house was in need of some serious TLC. There was what I believed to be a flower bed area in the front yard. Most likely it had been stripped of its flowers and was badly overgrown with weeds. I sat on the trunk of my car and stared. "What on earth can I do with this mess?" It looked near impossible and I was heart sick worrying about my aunt.

I stood up grabbed a black hefty lawn bag and a shovel, then got to work. Soon I had pulled up enough weeds to find a hidden treasure. A large ornamental pond, it had a waterfall and everything! I was overjoyed. Just as I expected the flowers had been dug up sometime ago, the bed was bare. I called in reinforcements, first my mom. She had no news about her sister yet but was more than happy to give me some flowers. Grandpa was already waiting on my phone call, he said " I pulled a bunch up for you this afternoon, I was just about to head out there."

Though out the next few days, family members dropped by with presents sent from they're personal gardens. Hollyhocks, Iris, hostas, and much more. As I began to plant, I realized this garden was made out of love from all those that I loved the most. This revelation gave me a creative idea to add a unique personal touch. I carefully mapped out a layout and planted during the day, at night I rooted around in my craft boxes.

I made tags for each of my flowers. I named them all after the family member that I had received them from. Such as: "Bird's famous Hollyhocks", and "Lil' Suzy Q's Iris". Soon my aunt returned home, she had been in Germany. She had cheated death. Though she was scheduled for that fateful flight, she had traded with a friend and took an international flight instead. " I feel just awful, I feel like I traded my life for hers." she

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