Garden Comfort
Recently, my youngest daughter and I buried a pet duck. Sadly, the duck had been sick, and didn’t make it through the cold weather we had.
My four year old daughter is learning what my other children have already learned about, the circle of life that all living things encounter.
My daughter grieved for the duck, for a little bit, and then went about her merry way. First, though, we had to have the ceremony in honor of the duck.
Gardening and grieving often go hand in hand, as they are both long processes, and take many forms and different phases to them. Both need patience and time.
A memorial garden is a garden designed to provide a lasting tribute to a loved one who has passed away. At the same time, a memorial garden can also provide a place for the survivors to heal and remember the loved one.
This type of garden can be as simple as a tree or perennial plant, one that will come back year after year, planted in honor of someone. It can also be a large flower bed with many different flowers, shrubs, grasses, and other plants, symbolizing a different aspect or personality trait of the deceased.
If the loved one enjoyed one season over another, certain plants can be planted to reflect that. If a season was spring, for instance, tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs can be grown.
Each season offers its own unique plants to honor someone. Perhaps the deceased enjoyed certain colors, such as red, yellow, blue, etc. Filling the garden with a collection of plants that share the same color is a nice way to pay tribute to a loved one.
There are also plants that have specific meanings. Poppies reflect eternal sleep, pink roses are for loved spouses, while rosemary is for remembrance. There are also many other plants to choose from, as well.
Benches are a wonderful addition to the memorial garden. They offer visitors and gardeners alike a place to sit and reflect. Water features are also a nice touch, as the sound of rushing water creates a soothing environment. Many people add statuary that reflects the interest of the loved one.
However one goes about creating a memorial garden, it can’t go wrong if it creates a place of solace and comfort. The company of plants is often a spot where people find inspiration, as well.
Time in the garden clears our minds and fills our lungs with clean air. Sometimes for me, a walk in the garden is the best spot for me to water my plants, with my tears.