I think I love gardening because it gives me inner peace and confidence to know that some things last and are recurrent for a very long time. For me, there is this wonderful feeling of certainty and awe every year to have my perennials, tubesr, rhizomes, and bulb friends show up each year. They're so consistent, constant, and such loyal faithful friends, they give me reoccurring hope in my world. When so much change happens and relationships fade, they're there to greet me and remind me that some things are lasting for an indefinitely long time.
These sweet violets are something that has been with me since I was a toddler at my mom's side in her garden. I have such vivid strong sensory memories collecting tiny bouquets. I can't even begin to express how full I feel to see that they somehow they have followed me to my current home and now are beginning to thrive. Perhaps a tiny seed, or rhizome somehow transplanted and stowed away for the very moment I needed to be reminded that there are things in which are enduring, dependable and faithful...something that is continuing and recurrent that one can count on, something that makes one feel whole, sane and complete in the most modest and humble of ways. I like this feeling of complete humbleness!
I like how these tiny flowers can inspire me to create and share. I long for such long deep lasting female relations in my life, while I have a few more are always welcome. Such sweet delicate forever violet friends, ready to share together and sometimes hibernate only to show up fully present, as if not missing a beat or moment in each others lives. Ready to pick up were we left off to tell me of all it's distant journeys.
This is a photo of my new found stow away which I hope someday multiples so that I can share it's beauty with others. The fragrance of these tiny beauties is unbelievably sweet and reminiscent of the violet candies my mother bought for me as a child and a lovely perfume my mother wore. I still see the bottle in my minds eye, it was porcelian whie with tiny violets painted on the bottle and wore a lavender ribbon around its slender neck. We also bathed with sweet violet scented soap. We were very fond of natural floral fragrances in our home the fragrances that are very hard to find today, they contain so few chemicals and bore more natural scents. The new synthectic stuff just doesn't work on my scences the same way. During Victorian times they were gathered given in bouquets These sweet violets were give as gifts by the hundreds and the tiny flowers can often be seen painted in old victorian adds with lovely children and white flowing dresses. hmmmm...I can see why!
Peace Lori Singer Jan 2010
