A simple thing that brings joy to my life is my garden. The garden has always been the heart and soul of every home I’ve lived in. If I didn’t love my garden, then I didn’t care about my home. A garden is a busy place and every season has something to do. People think winter is a season of death, but this is not true. In winter, things aren’t dead, they are dormant, and so, winter is a time to prepare the ground for the season ahead. Spring is a time for planting and raising seedlings, and it carries exciting anticipation. Summer is for planting out, weeding, tending and pruning. It is joyful, colourful and exuberant. It is when we rejoice in the wondrousness of the gifts life gives us. Autumn makes me sad, and my heart heavy, because even though I recognise its tremendous beauty, I know another season is coming to an end. In autumn, we clear away, we sweep and tidy the detritus, and put the once beautiful blooms onto the compost heap. We bring the matters of the season to a close, we watch the flames of summer fade, and everything is drawn into slumber.

It may seem like endless work, and it is I suppose, but that’s part of the joy. Everything we love needs our constant care, because life is unpredictable. Flowers are such an unknown. You can’t always predict the floral display they will produce, because there are so many variables. It may be a wet spring, or a dry summer. There may be too many aphids this year, or not enough sunshine. This means that each summer season is unique. Each has its disappointments, each has its triumphs. It is a living organism, that depends on the gardener to mould and shape it, to care for it, to give it water and nutrients. It is work yes, but it is joyful work. My reward is in the glorious display of flowers and fruits that are mine to savour and enjoy. I’m rewarded too, by the beautiful birds and insects too that come for food and pollen from the flowers. My garden is a place of peace and tranquility. My garden is a place of spiritual joy. I love my glorious garden.