A GARDEN OF LOVE...

" A garden of Love grows in a Grandmother's heart."

-Author Unknown-

Most roads we travel in life, figuratively as well as literally, either lead us to something or away from something. The road I was rambling on that day was leading me too something. It was leading me to a place where love never dies. Sounds a little like heaven doesn't it? Well, in my opinion, it is a tantalizing little taste of it here on earth.

On this days journey I noticed that the wild Red Buds were hanging heavy over the sides of the road mingling with the lime green of new birthed leaves on companion trees. While inching along under the bower of tree tops, fingertips of limbs entwined, I thought to myself, "Yes indeed, this red dirt road surely does lead to heaven."On this day, like all the other days I had traveled this road in the past two years, I tensed as we descended the last hill leading deep into the hollow. Swinging wide to making a sharp left just past the old Carl Henry place that despite having had new owners for these many years still had not one single curtain on any of the windows, I idly wondered if Carl's rockin' chair came with the sale and if it was still positioned facing the large front window so the new owners could watch the comings and goings on the lonesome road like Carl loved to do.

Fording the creek that always runs across the road while listening to the pop and crunch of tires on the loose stone surface, I anticipated the next ascent and our arrival. When we pulled to a stop, cutting off the engine, the sound of sudden silence filled the cab of the truck. The thrill of anticipation was quickly quelled with the forlorn look of the over grown lawn and unkempt garden.For one brief second I had forgotten that she was not there to greet us, no flash of red apron to indicate where she puttered while waiting for us to visit. I sat for a few silent seconds just drinking in the scene before me, noticing that we were not the first to arrive. Spring must have dashed in just ahead of us.It was when I was closing the cab door that I saw it, one bright spot of red in a field of green that was peppered with purple, yellow, and white - one single red tulip. A fuzzy wish, much like a dandelion gone to seed, briefly blew across my mind, " I wish she were here."It was quickly chased by the thought that I was lucky to have had her in my life, the grandmother that planted love in the very garden where I stood.I moved closer observing one single silken strand running from a petal of the tulip anchoring it to the surface of the earth. A silent line of connection and communication, just like love, weaved its way through my heart and threatened to pour out of my eyes. She was no longer there, but the connection would always be there, unbroken by our temporary separation. Closer still and I noticed that it was not a single silken strand but and entire intricately woven web that moored the brilliant bloom to the terrain. Kneeling in front of it I watched the ever present wind buffet the blossom noting that the delicate looking stands never broke loose. Love is like that, two parties can be divided by time, space, and distance and the chords of love will never be broken.The Wisdom Weaver had done her work well. I saw her message of love in the flower tenderly planted by her hands just like the love she tenderly planted in my heart. The meaning of tulips is generally perfect love. Like many flowers, different colors of tulips often carry their own significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love. There is no truer love than that of a Grandmother or the Lord who let me see a glimpse of both in a spiders web and a single blossom.

I saw my grandmothers bright red apron reflected in the soft petals letting me know that she was just a thought away, tucked safely in my heart and memory. Yes, we were indeed divided by death, but still intertwined like the weaving of the web, loves silken strands extending from heaven to earth, our lives still touching with the invisible filament of love.Both their love and their lessons anchor me to this earth and enable me to travel most roads in life leading me to something...a place where love never dies. Sounds a little like heaven doesn't it? Well, in my opinion, one lone tulip and a spider web are tantalizing little tastes of heaven here on earth.

Today, I hope that each one of you get your very own glimpse of heaven on earth and that it lifts your spirit and makes your heart sing with joy!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

P. S. I hope you won't get too tired of viewing nature photos here as I am still making the transition to the new studio space. I would have shared my flea market finds with you but, well, I can't find them in all the mess. I would have shared with you what I got on Etsy, but, well, I can't find the unopened package in all the mess. I might have shown you a lot of things but the massive mess I am trying to put to order is not one of them! I'll get back to the creative side of me as soon as I can. Thank you for being patient!