The garden beckons like an old friend who knows me well.
This friend does not mind my muddy shoes, my hair in tangles, or my mismatched garden gloves.
I can drop in whenever I like; the door is always open.
The rooms are flooded with sunlight, and I can rest upon a bench.
This place teaches me to tread softly upon the earth, taking my time, finding my way.
Who knows what wonders will unfold as I pass through these sun-lit rooms?
My footsteps carry me into a house of bliss.
The rooms are full of butterflies, and the azaleas are about to bloom!
Here, I need no key, no gate to lock or unlock.
In my garden, there is only the wide-open April sky and dreams that drift like clouds.
The green of April has come upon the garden, and the white azaleas are dressed in fairy lace.
The bees buzz and the rest of the world grows quiet.
Here in this place, I offer a prayer.
I thank God for my garden in April, and the blooms that soon will be.
I love the music in grand cathedrals, the hymns that resound triumphantly.
In the garden, the earth rejoices in music all its own.
The wind sings the bees to sleep upon the flowers.
The butterflies dance to a mystical tune.
The birds form a choir as if on cue from the angels above.
Yes, there is bliss in this house of changing seasons;
Perhaps, it is the most beautiful of all in the green of April.
The soft hues of spring green are everywhere, in the budding trees, on the grassy lawns, upon the meadows close to my home. When I was a child, I loved the onset of spring. I knew that my favorite outdoor things were on their way. There would be dandelions to dot the lawns, and for me to pick! I would bring them inside to my mother, and she would put them in tiny vases for display on the windowsill. There would be onion grass to scent the air, and Jack in the Pulpits for me to find in the woods. I cannot begin to imagine all the time I spent sitting in the grass looking for four-leaf-clovers!
As spring waned into summer, I never wanted to come inside at night. Many times, my mother let us stay outside in our pajamas when we had our bedtime snack. Then, she would allow one last run in that soft grassy outdoor carpet. I can remember taking a very long time with my snack because I wanted the magic to last a bit longer.
I suppose some things never change! I still like that feel of grass beneath my bare feet. I still like to listen to the sound of crickets at night, and frogs that begin to croak before it rains. Nature is such a gift, and whatever our age, it never ceases to deliver so much joy.
These have been busy days at my house, much going on with all four of my grown children, and all of the grandchildren. We have readied the house for spring with spring cleaning indoors, and gardening activities outdoors.
Always, there is more to do, but then, that is life. I try to celebrate each task accomplished and to make room for some quiet moments on the porch. Yes, we do have two lovely rocking chairs on the porch, and oftentimes, it is the grandchildren who are rocking in them!
Easter is almost upon us, and I want to wish everyone a beautiful Easter! A cold wind blew yesterday on Palm Sunday, but we are in for some warmer days ahead. I placed a bright pink geranium on my deck table. It was a festive touch with all that outside greenery. I never even unpacked all my Easter decorations this year…that hot-pink geranium will have to do.
After church on Easter Sunday, my daughter and her husband are hosting the annual Easter egg hunt at their house. What joy to see the little ones scamper about searching for those brightly colored eggs! What joy as we celebrate new life in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Easter morning. Praise God! The soft hues of spring are upon us, buds of new life arising within us. The darkness will fade altogether. It is spring!
Mark 16:6: And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene; who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid him.”
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
I would love to step through the screen of my iPad and join you in your garden. A lovely and refreshing reflection to start my week. Many thanks, Linda!
In our corner of the world, the Azaleas are making their debut. It is such a lovely showing with no work on our part! The Dogwood trees are also in bloom. I wish you many blessings in the week ahead. 🙂
Such a lovely meditation to celebrate the coming of spring!
Thank you! It is surely a season we all look forward to each year. Every season has its magic, but there is something about spring that gives us so much hope.
You’re welcome, Linda!
🙂 🙂 🙂
What joy & delight you bring to my soul with your beautiful writing! I love the imagery, & I share some of the same childhood memories of dandelion picking – and Lily-of-the-valley! The sounds & sights & aromas of spring are so soothing & uplifting! You have captured them so well in this post. Happy Easter to you & your family!
Wishing you a wonderful Easter as well! These spring days are passing quickly. (There is nothing quite like Lily-of the-valley, is there? Such small and marvelous flowers..)
A happy and peaceful read. Thank you!
You are welcome! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful Easter!
what delightful bright pics and such inspiring words as you paint a vivid pic of your wondrous spring!
I too walk in the grass late at night gazing at the clear sky in my front garden … it’s too busy during the day with the constant parade of those soaking up our magical river scenes. Love those azaleas 🙂
It is wonderful that you take those evening walks! Your front garden sounds lovely. You are blessed to live in such a beautiful place!
oh very blessed, after being nomadic since I left home as a teen I’ve really landed on my feet here!
I am so happy for you! Your feet have covered many miles upon the earth, and you have so many stories to share. That is a blessing in itself!
oh yes, I’ve visited countries that no longer exist, been places that are no longer open, learnt so much but am so very glad to finally have a home base!
You are blessed indeed! I am glad you have a home base, and I am glad you followed your heart and traveled many places. 🙂
I searched without and finally realised all I needed was already within … just took me a few decades to get there 🙂
You are a wise soul. 🙂
no just a slow learner 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you Linda. It is always a pleasure to read your beautiful posts and view your pictures. Have a wonderful Easter.
Thank you for your kind comment! I hope you have a beautiful Easter! 🙂
You are making me homesick for green grass, buds, flowers and lakes without ice Linda. Getting ready for Easter celebrations here as well.
I hope you have a wonderful Easter! The spring thaw is coming…bit by bit; soon, all the greenery will come, and it will be resplendent!
Gosh your garden is thriving! What a beautiful tree, too. I can’t wait for ours to start blossoming x
I do love that tree! It is a Spring Snow Crabapple. When the petals fall to the ground, it does look like snow!
I love that opening line, Linda. “The garden beckons like an old friend who knows me well.” It has been so nice reacquainting myself with my old friends (the flower & vegetable gardens) these past weeks. I love how the garden embraces new inspirations and doesn’t hold a grudge about past neglect. Your pictures are beautiful. The azaleas vibrant. I’m actually reading your post sitting on our freshly cleaned porch. It is the first evening that’s been warm enough to indulge in this wonderful luxury. On one side of me is our cat lying in the open window keeping a sharp eye on the song birds hopping around in the wood line while Adi snoozes on my other side. She loves all the out of door time spring affords as much as I do. Have a lovely Easter with your children and grandchildren.
I can picture you perfectly sitting upon that freshly cleaned porch! It is wonderful to be outdoors after the long winter. I hope you have a beautiful Easter! Like you, I am glad that the garden is forgiving of our neglect. There is always so much to do! 🙂
Even with a few more days between now and Easter, it is always lovely to have a glimpse of that beautiful day to come and to tuck it into our hearts for the waiting. You have that Easter to look forward to and to treasure, family time and garden time too.
In our home, it will be a different Easter, our first without our eldest who cannot make it back from college to be with us. But we will tuck deep into our hearts our love and yearning for this one not here this year, with all the other posies of love and thankfulness for all God has given us and done for us… and we will greet with joy the Easter He has willed for us.
I am sorry that your oldest child will not be there with you this year! As three of my children are married now with families of their own, we no longer can always do everything together. We are always ‘together’ in the ways that really matter. Love is a bridge that keeps beloveds close wherever they may be. It is a beautiful bridge that God has made for us. We are never really far apart from the people we love, even when there is great physical distance. Still, I understand what you mean, and I hope you find many little blessings in your Eastertime.
Yes, when you carry someone in your heart, he or she is always there and we’re always together; we just need to find different ways of being together and still being thankful for all we have
The years come and go, and families grow and change. Every season in the life of a family has its gifts…they are different gifts, but all profoundly beautiful. Sometimes, we must simply open our hearts and hands to the new gift that is unfolding; we must also loosen our grip on the gift we are afraid to let go of. There is an exchange; both gifts have wondrous possibilities.
How deeply your words speak to me. Yes, this is indeed the season of exchange. I cannot hold on to all I have now … in the way I enjoy it and yet hope to receive something new. Something has to go, to change … in order for something new to come.
God does make all things new! (Revelation 21:5)
Happy Easter, Linda!
Happy Easter Svet! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you for inviting us into your garden through your lovely words and photos, Linda. It’s such a hopeful time of year. Easter blessings to you and your family!
Happy Easter Monday! I hope you had a very nice Easter! We have rain coming today. Yesterday was absolutely beautiful…warm and sunny.
Thank you, Linda. It was a cold weekend here but we still enjoyed it. Today it’s snowing. I would love to have a warm and sunny day but it will come … soon I hope.
Yes! The warm and sunny days will come. Snow is a wondrous thing as well. We had snow one year on my mother’s birthday in April. She was thrilled. She took so many pictures! 🙂
Your writing is infused with love, and your images evoke sweetness, Linda. Thanks for sharing your gifts! 🌞
Thank you! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful weekend!