Monday, April 19, 2010

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!

16 comments:

  1. This is a very poetic telling of a story, and the image of the red apron and of the red tulip are perfect touches.
    Glad to meet you here.

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  2. Dear Sandy, -not nessesarely to be paitient,-because this post is so wonderfull,-full of ungoing love and of natures wonders,-you made a beautifull post,-
    Thanks, Dorthe

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  3. I shed a tear reading this. I miss my Grandmother so! She raised me and was my *mom*. Yes, she truly loved me, and I her. I hope my little granddaughters will know the great love I have for them, too!
    Blessings!

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  4. How fortunate and blessed you have been. This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I know she is smiling.

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  5. I LOVE all of the pretty pictures :) Keep them coming. There is nothing so pretty here on Las Vegas to look at. Cant wait to see your new space, I redid mine this year ( well almost, we painted , etc, then my sewing machine broke before I could finish :) ) I know you will really enjoy it :)

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  6. Your nature photos are beautiful and your little birdy is stunning too! We are having a lovely spring over here. I can see that you are enjoying spring over there too. Good!

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  7. NEVER feel the need to apologize for a beautiful, moving, amazing post dear friend. Were we just the luckiest girls to have amazing Grandmothers or were there others as lucky as we? Oh mine was PERFECT & it sounds like yours was too. How I was blessed to have her (maybe it made up for having a wickedly mean Mother for my Grandmother was truly the female figure in my life). Mine has been gone from the earth so long but, as you so sweetly spoke... is in my heart always. I am enjoying your sweet nest & bluebird so much. I think of you every time I see it. HUGS! Charlene

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  8. Miss Sandy,

    I simply love the tulip!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Michele

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  9. This beautiful post made me shed a tear. I love the red tulip and the message it sent. :)

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  10. Dear Sandy~
    Thank you again for sharing precious thoughts and memories of your dear Grandmother. I too, pray that my grandchildren love me this much too.(I'm pretty sure they do)and what a wonderful feeling to be loved this much! Because I sure do them!
    You photos are beautiful as your words and I also shed tears. It really touched my heart. Never apologize for expressing your love.
    I'm sure your room will be finished in no time. Just enjoy God's creation and drawing close to Him... maybe that was the purpose of the room change!
    Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Blessings always~
    Sonya

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  11. I love spring flowers and your nature photos. Please share all you wish! Thanks for the sweet story. too. God bless.

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  12. Oh Sandy what a precious garden of love your dear Grandmother planted inside your heart! She was a special lady who lived a Godly life and HE was well pleased with her handywork. I grew up in Germany living with my Oma and Opa. They were gardeners and I learned so much from them...I carry those memories deep in my heart. Oma's hands were rough and stained with work during the growing season...her nails dark with working the soils. In winter came her time of rest...and her hands changed into soft clean handmaidens just waiting for spring to bring along the freshness of the earth once more so she work in her beloved garden...
    Thank you for the peek into the windows at Quill Cottage...it was an enchanting visit.
    Love Misses Peach from the cozy cottage

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  13. You have got a nice garden out there. I think a connection with plants means a connection with the nature itself.

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  14. Very poignant, Sandy. And very true. I love the way you tell a story.
    Warm hugs and blessings,
    Diane

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  15. Lovely prose...I was with you.

    You have an unopened package from Etsy? Oh my! Wish I could help haul stuff or unpack stuff or just keep you well hydrated with iced tea. Is hubby all set in his corner?

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  16. You may have read that 3 weeks ago my foster mother unexpectedly passed away. I was so missing her this morning as I was laying in bed. I got up and was drawn to open the front door.
    She was there~ in a glorious sunrise. God is good.

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"The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Thank you for decorating my space with your presence!