by Larry McNerney

Created on: July 12, 2010

I was at Mary Ann's house, and the front and back yard needed to be watered.  As the caretaker of the gardens I have been doing watering three times a week.   There was a time when there was no garden, not like this garden.   A lovely home in suburbia, on a corner lot, but without a well thought out garden.  Without a statement of beauty, and smell, and serenity.

Mal knew he was going to be leaving his wife a widow and so he had paperwork to do.  He contacted lawyers and he completed forms.  His love for his wife gave him the strength.  He wanted her to have a good life even after he was gone.  Selfishness was not one of his traits.

  I listen to the sound of the water as it hits the plants, and slowly I move from plant to plant.  Beautiful juniper bushes, in round shapes, and tall.  Ground cover of reddish, and green.  Roses in the backyard, and bird-of-paradise in the front.   Each plant has its' own aroma, and the water calmly falls, and lovingly sends the scent up into the air.

Mary has moved to Colorado, and is living with her other daughter, and her husband, and sons.  They have two horses, and a big lot with natural foliage.  This garden i have been watering is a Japanese style, in suburbia, on a corner lot.  It received the city-wide beautification award, and it is beautiful.  Laid out according to an ancient plan and with differing color, texture, smell and sizes.  It takes my breath away.

  From plant to plant and from row to row I make my way, and the lull of the water and the smell of beauty is all around me.   There's this flowering bush, with many individual stalks, and the flowers are white with yellow and blue.  Time stops for me in this garden.   This is Mal and Mary Ann's house, and I have the joy of two gardens and the beauty of sound and scent.

   Mal would be very happy to do as I have done, and water these plants.   As long as the garden lives Mal does also.   I will return next week, and with love in my heart and mind I get to water Mary Ann's front yard and back.    I can't wait for the week to begin

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