The Garden of Life: Lessons in Patience, Growth, and Connection
Let’s go back in time. I was five years old, and my world was small – no bigger than the walls of my home and the woods surrounding it. But there was something about Fred’s garden—the fenceline just beyond the trees—that drew me in. It was a magical patchwork of plants, flowers, and vegetables, full of life.
One day, I crossed through the wood and into Fred’s world. Most adults would’ve shooed this nosy kid away. But Fred? The old man welcomed me with open arms. I was shown his garden like an apprentice eager to learn. He handed me the watering bucket and said, “Let’s see what we can grow together.”
I spent my summers at his hip – hands in the soil, nose in the greenery. Back then it was just gardening to me—nurturing seeds in the soil to grow into plants. But through the cultivation of that backyard garden, he taught me how to care deeply, learn patience, and to discover meaning in the smallest and simplest of ways. He showed me that with time, focus, and disciplined care, even the tiniest things can grow into something beautiful.
What Fred shared was more than a green thumb—it was a safe space where curiosity was celebrated and passions could be explored. That garden became my foundation, not just for growing plants but for understanding life itself.
So, here’s to all the Freds out there.
And here’s to creating more safe spaces for curiosity, connection, and the pursuit of passion –
no matter where or when it begins.
