INNER GARDEN - MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY

When I recently read 'The Secret Garden' I was enthralled by the idea of such a garden. In fact, I then remembered that my brother and I had discovered a secret garden when we were little. Hidden behind the row houses opposite our childhood home, we it discovered it by accident. Through hole in the fence we ventured inquisitively through dense trees that opened into what, to child like eyes seemed like magical faerie world.

 Groomed to perfection, it was the grass table and chairs that first drew our attention. Held together by chicken wire with trimmed lawn growing through the wire, I felt like Alice in Wonderland as I sat down on the chairs for an imaginary cup of tea. Taking in the peaceful surroundings, we were so enthralled that by the time we noticed the owner,  it was to late to escape. She turned out to be a friendly old lady, and invited us to come visit her garden any time we felt like it. Although she was not able to keep the garden in the beautifully groomed condition it once was, we had our wedding photos taken there years later.

1974

Multiple System Atrophy is causing constant degeneration, and I have to face the fact that 'Locked in Syndrome 'might be in my future. Although this might happen any time soon,  I need time to prepare myself, to create a space I would like to be in. Walled in my inability to communicate, my inner space will be a garden where I can spend time with God.

I shall weed out all  prejudice and keep an eye on racism to make sure it doesn't grow back. The ugly, tree called Impatience will have to go, it blocks the sun and nothing grows under it. I'll order truckloads of Patience to fertilise the garden.

I will sow tiny mustard seeds of faith and watch it grow into a tree  big enough so the birds of the air come build their nests in its branches. Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up. It will be a memorial to the Lord, an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.

Bushes of love will be nurtured to flower abundantly, filling the air with their sweet fragrance.

There will be plenty of forget-me-nots;

Forget not to be thankful

Forget not find to be joyful

Forget not God's gift of grace to me.

Forget not the Lord loves me just as I am.

I shall sow plenty seeds as according to St Francis of Assisi in his peace prayer;

"Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt,  faith

Where is despair, hope

Where there is darkness, light

Where there is sadness, joy"

I hope to see plenty of the plants I admire, those that seed themselves in the paving and cement, and bloom despite their adverse conditions.

At peace I will bask in the warm glow of my Heavenly Father's glorious love and grace, and just be, knowing that is all He ever expected anything more than that from me.

Isaiah 30:15

"In quietness and trust is your strength"

Laurerette kindly allowed access to her vast library of beautiful photos. Thank you my friend, I ap preciate

Image of forget-me-nots from the internet.