by Jane Coryell

Created on: August 12, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

My little garden in the backyard, it brings me so much pleasure! There is something to say about digging your hands into God's fresh earth and planting springs beautiful flowers!

I have arthritis and I cannot manage a huge garden, so I started a small flower garden. It is a rock garden actually. I love rocks, I think they are some of earth's greatest treasures. I collect rocks and many of them were added to the garden, along with the memories of where I got them. For character, I added a brick from my hometown.

Cactuses, sedum, guara and more, along with lovely scented herbs all sprout from heaven's earth. Miniature bird houses and a piece of slate, on which I stenciled my favorite poem, sit proudly among the greenery. It has become a work of art and everytime I visit the local nursery, I go in search of new and unusual plants to bring more color or texture.

My wooden bench sits beside the garden and at night, when the air is cool, I go sit and ponder. There is nothing like a garden to bring you closer to God and your own soul. My garden brings me solitude and peace. The other day while enjoying my creation, I saw a butterfly which I had not seen for quite some time. A pale yellow, beautiful butterfly fluttering about my wispy guara! I was elated! I don't even think that was in the "how to attract butterflies" section of my gardening book! It took me back to my childhood. I always loved butterflies and they seemed to be in abundance back then. They would dance around the flowers and hint of landing. I would reach out to touch them and off they would go fluttering in the air, me running after them. Oh they were so beautiful and fragile.

My granddaughter will be coming soon. I think I will bring her out back to the bench and watch for the butterfly to land! We will sit together and giggle and wait. We will wonder what flower the butterfly will choose. I will show her the flowers and point out each colorful one. The butterfly will come, I know it! Her little hands will reach out to catch it just like I did so many years ago. She will run off to follow it as it flies away, turning back to me, empty handed. I will tell her to come and pick a flower, whichever one she wants. We will have a splendid time, at the garden, my little granddaughter and I!

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