S. WRITES:

I really loved your story of old ladies. My mother was one of them, and an avid gardener and plant aficionado in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She took many gardening classes at Longwood Gardens, where she volunteered regularly, and could rattle off the Latin names for beloved plants.

I was an agnostic during and after my college years (and you certainly know what college does to the young searching mind, turning it away from all things that point to God).

It was not until I purchased a home and started a garden of my own that I came to re-discover the notion of God. With my husband, I converted (with my own labor) a half acre plain lawn into dense areas of flowers, shrubs, trees, and vegetables, including a pond with a fountain. I found myself wondering how a tiny seed could turn into a beautiful, strong plant. I marveled at God’s diverse creation after hours each week in the garden. It was a visceral discovery of the life force in all of nature. No coincidence either that many of the plants in my garden came from my mother’s gardens.

I regret that my foray into feminism (high school and college indoctrination) led me to under-appreciate my mother. Her home and her gardens, her baking and cooking – all of it was her domain, in addition to raising four children. As you indicated, these ladies are a dying breed and not recognized by the world.

My mother passed away eight years ago. I still have some of her perennials in our third home’s gardens. I try to preserve the quiet gifts she gave in this cesspool called modern culture. It’s not easy, and I have had to lead a relatively cloistered life. ( I can see why the Church had cloistered nuns. I kind of wish I lived long ago in another era…sigh.)

Anyway, thanks for writing about these wonderful old ladies, and shining a spotlight on their quiet but valuable contributions to our fallen culture.

Laura writes:

You’re welcome!

May your wonderful mother rest in peace.

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