My Garden

My Garden: A Symbol of My Life

My garden is nearly finished. Only a few adjustments are needed, but already I can visualize my stroll through this nine by 20 foot paradise. It is a Feng Shui design meant to draw people in, make them feel comfortable with just the right amount of inspiration, invigoration, and relaxation.

I enter the garden from the west where a Lemon Drop Lantana reminds me of the carefree days of childhood. I follow the flagstone path as it curves southward where my small horizon is filled with shades of red. Muhly grass flutters its purpley feathers in the breeze, and the flowers of the Hot Lips Salvia purse their petals for each hummingbird that arrives. The Agave stands majestic and confident as if it claims the title of Garden Magistrate, and behind it a Firebush heats up this corner that represents my attitude about wealth.

The flagstones keep me a safe distance from the Agave with its sharp-as-a-knife leaf tips and the excessive invigoration that all that red can bring. At my feet, the White Trailing Lantana provide refreshing relief from the energy of the south, and the brass reindeer and sleigh recall Christmas. The white flowers of the lantana provide the snow, and my memories recall the joy of one of my favorite times of the year.

My virtual journey continues, as the reds cool to the copper of a Dwarf Copper Plant and the abundant greens of a Red Yucca, a Turks Cap, and a Shrimp Plant. The scattering of flowers in shades of red make the butterflies and hummingbirds my long-term guests, but it is the green of these plants on the east side of the garden that speak the loudest to me. They represent my attitude toward family, and green says "stability."

Set into this "family" environment is my white perching rock, and I stop for a moment of peace and meditation. Nearby, I hear the baritone melody of wind chimes and watch a butterfly enjoy cool repose on a rock in the Butterfly Bath. Soon my virtual journey will end, but for now, I find peace in the Indigo Salvia facing me from the north and the carpet of Asian Jasmine covering the center of the garden. A glimpse of the New Yellow Trailing Lantana and the Whirling Butterflies (Guara Plant) in the northwest corner bring me a moment of humor.

I have found excitement, security, and peace with joy and humor acting as bookends to my journey. My flagstone path has ended, and I must find an exit. There, below my feet is the rockbed of a virtual dried up creek, and it leads me to the "shore," the driveway to my front door.

My garden is all that I had hoped it would be: A symbol of my life: Family first, then friends, companions, relationships filled with joy and humor, a sense of moderation when it comes to wealth and fame, and God's peace that surpasses all understanding filling every aspect of my life. In the virtual world, we experience the paradise we would like to have in the real world.