From the Bottom of the Bucket

Where there is no Gardener, there is no Garden

I have written in the past about the Japanese garden in my backyard.  We call it The Sanctuary.  It is over thirty years old now and has come to be my favorite place on Earth.  Over the years, it has been cared for by a succession of younger friends, but none of them with the attention of Rodney, our current gardener.  He has been a friend for many years and we are humbled by his contribution.  He teaches by example and his innovative thinking is only matched by his love of plants.

It has been said that a garden is a place where Nature and Man come together to contemplate one another.  That is certainly true in The Sanctuary.  As my wife and I are besieged with the decay that comes with aging, the garden is a constant reminder of the Cycle of Life.  The animal life that visits prompts you to remember that our world is populated with many species and that Nature cares little for the ego of Man. The waterfalls provide a constant backdrop of soothing sound to spirit away the noise of Life.

But none of this would be possible without Rodney’s efforts. For there is a difference between Natural and Wild.  It is inspiring to watch the garden blossom under his care.  It is a partnership in every sense as they need each other.  How many times are we guilty of thinking the world revolves around our exclusive efforts - that our opinion is Truth and our points of view are exclusively accurate?

We all need a place where we can put things in perspective and we need to visit it often. We also need a Rodney to groom this Retreat for renewing Energy. Without them, our Spirits wither.  Those of you that have these precious gifts, be thankful.  If you don’t , make the effort to get them.  It will be worth it.

Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.

 

Bob

 

 

From the Bottom of the Bucket

The G4 Letters

(Editor’s Note: I am upgrading my format to reflect a different take on my observations.  This month, our first great grandchild (generation four, or G4), Oliver, came into our lives. One of my muses (thank you Chris) suggested that I write an open letter to this young lad.  It is my intention to have him read it in the future and perhaps write me back (although the postage may be prohibitive!)

 

Dear Oliver,

I met you last night at my wife’s birthday party. I held you in my arms and wondered what dreams were filling your thoughts.  I guess you have thoughts, but who knows.  Don ‘t worry they will come soon enough.  Your memory is a clean slate, so you won’t be troubled by

regrets. You’re not bothered by worries about politics or wars. Your budget is balanced.  Your health is perfect.  Most of all, it appears that you are blissfully unaware of your state. Too bad, it sounds like heaven.

My memory is filled with images of your Grand Ma and Mommy when they were your age.  It makes me humble to witness it all over again.  We call that The Cycle of Life. You are our newest circle and what roads will you roll down?   I can only hope to support your trip

When I grow down I want to be just like you. Keep it simple.  Believe it or not, most of our imperfections are our own doing.  Remnants from the journey called life, a trial-and-error experience that we all have. Each step of that experience is chock full of lessons and go figure, we actually learn some of them.

The gods have blessed you to be born free and loved.  With a doting family, you have a head start.  It won’t be long before you begin your conscious experience and all the baggage that comes with it.  So, in the meantime, enjoy your crying and pooping. For now, leave the tough stuff to Mom and Dad.  After all, that’s what they did when they started out on their tour !

 

Yours In Love

 Pappy

     

Until next time, I wish you fulfillment.

 

Bob