by Susan Jiosa

Created on: November 08, 2010   Last Updated: May 08, 2011

I learned at a very early age just how comforting gardening can be and how much joy it brings to watch little seedlings spring to life as they flourish and grow into beautiful flowers and vegetables. I was just a young girl when my beloved father passed away. I was only nine at the time of his passing; but still the loss I felt was tremendous. My father and I were very close; I was his “princess” and he was my beloved “papa”. When he would come home from work, I would run to him as he bent down to pick me up and I’d squeeze his neck as tight as I could and plant a big fat kiss on his smiling face every day. After my father’s untimely passing, my

mother tried very hard to keep things together for my younger brother and me.It was a constant struggle but she always managed to make the best of every situation. Mom had to work two jobs to support us which didn‘t leave her much time for any thing else. At a time when most kids are involved in sports or extracurricular activities, I was left to baby sit my little brother David every afternoon while mom was at work. My brother David has downs syndrome and was quite a handful for a small girl to handle alone. Mom couldn’t afford a full time baby sitter and I loved my brother fiercely so I was happy that she needed me to help.

On a morning no different than any other, my brother and I were in the back yard playing ball together. As I chased the ball toward our fence, I noticed our next door neighbor outside planting seeds. Being only nine and a city girl to boot, I didn't know what in the heck this guy was doing but it didn’t take me long to walk over to the fence and ask him. He explained to me how the seeds he was planting would grow into delicious vegetables that we love to eat and that some would grow into beautiful flowers. I was so amazed at what he was telling me and I asked him if he would teach me too. I had been so lost without my daddy. I was so lonely and sad all the time but when the old man said he’d let me plant my very own seeds, I was thrilled! I couldn’t wait to see the tiny seeds I planted sprout to life.

The next morning the old man brought over some tomato seeds and some purple pansies for me to get started with. Even though he had to walk me through step by step, I wanted to do it all by my self. He'd brought with him soil and starter boxes so I could sit them near the back door and look at them through the window. I eagerly

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