| Always remember the
beauty of the garden, for there is peace.
-- Ruth Stout
In stressful
times, a garden can become a salve for our wounds and a means to
rekindle feelings of hope and courage. Digging in dirt, planting seeds,
watching them grow or spending time quietly sitting in a garden are
occupations that can ease the mind, release tension and soothe the
soul.
Andrée LeBlanc, 43, and her husband, Dave
Morin, 42, first planted a garden 16 years ago at their home in the
Conway area of Orlando.
"My garden is a constant source of joy,
relaxation and beauty for me," says Andree, whose 100 by 150 foot
yard is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard
Wildlife Habitat.
"It's a tangible asset and gives
me intangible joy that I've come to appreciate as I've gotten
older."
Andree and her husband can look out
their office windows throughout the day and see the many species
of birds and butterflies that are attracted to their yard.
"My garden is a constant reminder
to slow down, says LeBlanc, who creates mosaic sculptures in her
spare time. "It brings me a physical and mental
peace. When I am out working in the garden my care and worries
are forgotten. Nothing else does that for me." |
The inside of Morin and
LeBlanc's house and yard blend so harmoniously that you can
hardly tell where one begins and the other ends.
My garden of flowers is also my
garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely
as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.
Abram L. Urban
Morin tends to the compost pile, hole
digging and trellis building.
"Our garden is full of memories
for us, " Morin says. "Three of our pets are
buried here and the Shasta daisies in the front garden were
planted in memory of Andree's mother. When we look around at the
yard, each stone, sculpture and plant holds a memory for us of
something special.
LeBlanc and Morin created their
peace-giving garden over time. Year by year they added
plants, put down walkways, built trellises, created artwork,
collected accessories and arranged several peaceful sitting
areas where they can sip their morning coffee and reflect,
recharge and relax.
"To sit and enjoy is something I'm
still working on," LeBlanc says. But when I do just sit, It
feels good. All the things I love are here."
|
Peace giver
