This garden mat has been a staple for years. I don’t recall where I got it or when but have had it seemingly forever. Yesterday, yet again, I sat on this mat on my hillside pruning lavender.

My hillside is very steep and loaded with lovely rock gardens and plants deer tend to avoid, such as rosemary, blue grasses, autumn crocus (just starting their brilliant pink colors), curry, geranium, thyme, irises, and red-hot pokers.
My husband built and planted all those beds and I clearly remember saying, “Honey please can you quit making more flower beds on the hillside.”

He is gone, and I tend to the beds. Hard to believe he left the island seven and one-half years ago. Some moments it seems like yesterday and others a lifetime ago.

As I tended the very overgrown lavender yesterday, I exposed some of the rocks he proudly collected. Each one carefully placed with size and color taken into consideration. That was a nice memory.

Time and grief. We all know that story. For awhile I resented those hillside beds. Now I tend to them with thoughtfulness amidst the questions. They are a strong tie to good times.

Like the saying on this mat, “It is the friends we meet along life’s path…who help us appreciate the journey.”
Thanks to all of you continuing along life’s path helping me fully appreciate the journey again.

Comments most welcome.

Happy Sunday to you – My favorite day of the week.