Sunday 3 July 2011

Open Gardens

This is my post for Sian's Storytelling Sunday......see the other stories here.
My mum loved her gardens......she loved gardening......nothing gave her greater pleasure.....she had green fingers......everything she touched grew.....including the little snippets she pinched off the end of plants as she walked by them in the street!!!!
Every garden she had ended up beautiful........and one of my most enduring memories of childhood is of her out in the garden......gardening gloves on.......big straw hat on [the same hat that DD1 loved to wander about in as a toddler].......busy planting, dead heading, mowing, mulching,propagating. 
She had a long, full life.........but the last year of her life was illness filled......and she spent some time in our local hospice......a wonderful peaceful,caring place.....with a large garden to match.....this garden made her final days so much happier than they would have been.
Every year the hospice organises an open gardens event to raise much needed funds .......and yesterday was the turn of  9 gardens in our 'Old Town'.
Some of these gardens are tiny.......and yet manage to cram so much beauty in.....and I spent much of the day wandering round them all........remembering my mum and her love of gardening.








26 comments:

Jane said...

thanks for sharing this story, it looks a beautiful place

Kathyk said...

As you say, all very lovely - my own dear parents loved their garden too.

Happy Sunday to you, Jacky

Kathyk

Amy said...

Gardening provides so much interest and comfort to so many - these ones look bautiful Jacky.

JO SOWERBY said...

gardening is therapeutic and my parents potter about in their garden all the time. dad loves his greenhouse and shed and mum loves the blousy florals. my grandparents were just the same. it is lovely to have so many beautiful gardens to explore no matter how small. bet ur mum was watching u and enjoying them too,
jo xxx

Sian said...

This is an absolutely lovely story Jacky, it has a quiet dignity about it I admire very much. And the photos are beautiful! I like Jo's thought that your Mum was enjoying them too.

Thank you for joining in Storytelling Sunday today

Unknown said...

I'm sure Jo is right and that she wandered around with you. A lovely peaceful story and some lovely photos. x

Becky said...

A lovely story and how wonderful to be able to remember your Mum in such beautiful settings.

Sugar Lump Studios said...

A beautiful story and lovely gardens. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

What a lovely way to remember your Mum xx

Jimjams said...

Beautiful gardens - precious memories - a lovely tribute!

Ifa said...

I love gardening and I wish that some day someone will say "all her gardens were beautiful" too. What a great way to remember your mum.

Mary B said...

A very touching story and a lovely memory.

furrypig said...

what a lovely way to remember your mum amidst all the beautiful gardens, I really love the old brick wall with vintagey looking mirrors xxx

SallyB said...

Hi Jacky..
It looks like you spent a wonderful day visiting some beautiful gardens and remembering your mum...xxx

Anonymous said...

Hospices do such wonderful work...that yours does it beautifully makes it that much better.

debs14 said...

Looks like you had a lovely day in beautiful, peaceful surroundings. Perfect for remembering your mum.

Alison said...

Beautiful gardens and lovely memories of your mum
Alison xx

Sarpreet said...

thank you for sharing such a lovely store, and beautiful memories of your mum

Anonymous said...

A beautiful post---in words and pictures! TFS!

Ginger said...

Such beautiful photos Jacky, I truly admire those who can care for and create such beauty.

Blondee said...

Beautiful gardens!

Lovely memories of your Mother, I'm sorry for your loss. :( I wish I was a talented gardener like that with flowers....I tend to kill most houseplants and flowers with no effort at all.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Thanks for the story today Jacky. My mother was a gardener - she especially grew the most beautiful roses. I think of her whenever I see those flowers.
I love the photo of the wall with the mirror on it.
Rinda

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos and I absolutely loved this story. Thanks so much for sharing.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh what beautiful photos of some fabulous gardens, Jacky. And what a lovely tribute you have done here for your mom. xo

Cherry said...

Really magical and emotive Jacky. Thanks for sharing. Lovely pics too. Hugs Cherry xxx

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story Jacky and gorgeous pictures to go with it.