When I was a boy growing up we had four separate gardens growing around our house to help feed us through the year. We grew corn, green beans, squash, watermelons, cantaloupes, onions, tomatoes, and carrots. The biggest garden of all was devoted entirely to potatoes. My Mom and Grandma also had countless flowers growing in boxes around the house and hanging in pots on the porch. It was wonderful to be around so much life and so much growth. It makes me admire even today the power, intelligence, and love of God to create so many wonderful, living things.

I of course, grumbled like any little boy when it came time to plant, weed, and water so many gardens. I much preferred riding my bike. Still, seeing how much love, attention, and work my parents put into the gardens, seeing the cellar full of fresh canned vegetables for the winter, and seeing the wonderful foods that always showed up on our dinner table left lasting memories in my heart, soul, and mind. Even though I only have a few flowers in my own garden these days, I still water them with a smile and laugh with joy when they stretch and grow towards the sun.