Thursday 10 July 2008

The healing power of nature......

As you know I am a white bloom girl......I love it's purity........there is still plenty of white in the garden.......
the lilacs are coming into bloom now to....July and August in this space, really is bee time......
this garden is not just for wildlife though......it is also for those I love......
I wanted to create a garden that had a spiritual feel.......somewhere to sit where you could find......
peace and serenity..........
My dear mother is a clinical depressive......she has suffered all her life.........
she comes to the garden and sits amongst the blooms, bees and birds..........
and the strain on her face softens...........
My own dear daughter works all hours....taking care of her children.....running a small business from home........sometimes she will be working at midnight.........
I worry for her...................but when she comes here I can say sit down....let me make you a cup of tea.................and I can take the grandchildren into the garden and give my daughter just a little bit of precious time.

Mr 'P' works so hard I can't tell you.........his days are long....and the tiredness shows.........but once he is out in the garden........laptop in place, I see a happy man.......
I have read many posts recently and there has been an air of sadness............I feel for those who are carrying burdens at this time.........things will change.........we have ups and downs .......but life goes on........that's just how it is.......
I needed to get out into the garden yesterday.........my mind was a little scrambled.......
for me personally...............my garden is healing....................whether I am trimming a hedge or looking at some beautiful insect.............
it makes me feel better..................


And as if by magic and to confirm all that I have posted today..................she fluttered by, gentle and sweet, she stayed but for a short while but in that brief moment I was smiling............



37 comments:

naturewitch said...

Oh, Cheryl I'm with you! Gardens can be the most healing of places - soothing all manner of ills. Your sanctuary is not just a sanctuary for wildlife, but for human life, too. Good on you for creating such a space. xx

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You are so right about the garden being so healing Cheryl. When I get low or feel stressed out I head outside. There I can always find something that will take my mind off my troubles and concerns.

I just love all of your whites. I think I need some more white in my garden. I have very little white.

I tried a white garden once. I started it right near the front door thinking that when guests come in the evening the white would light the way to the door. Well, I am sad to say it was a failure. I didn't like it. I couldn't figure out why but it now longer exists. One of gardens disappointments.

Goosey said...

Thats a lovely blog, the garden does make you feel relaxed I think. My garden is looking a little sad as the wind has blown all the Hollyhocks down but I'll get out there in a minute and stand them all up again! Last week I cut all the cranesbills and Ox eye daisy's back to get another lot of flowering from them so it's a bit bare but the new shoots are coming and it will soon be a repeat performance. Take care, Goosey

Baker Watson said...

Wow - I'm always amazed by all the flower photo's.

It's always nice to have some place that soothes us whether it be a vist to the garden, a favorite swing, a nice view of mountain or stream, or maybe a slow walk along the beach. We all need to slow down at times to absorb and recharge.

Rose said...

Cheryl, I believe in the healing power of nature, too. I found that when I was overworked during my teaching days, coming out to look at all that was growing and even pulling a few weeds (!) was a great way to relieve my stress.
You have created a beautiful place for your family to enjoy and find some peace.

Leanne said...

this is a beautiful post- thankyou. I have more problems than I know how to deal with all at once, and to escape into those gorgeous photos, in colour groupsd was lovely (and I do lovr purples and blues so much... :-) )


leannex

Cheryl said...

Thanks naturewitch.....I knew a lot of you would relate to what I posted today.......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....It's nice to know I am not alone in my need for a sanctuary...

Just a suggestion, I break my whites up with shades of green and I find it works very well. It softens the starkness of the white.......

Cheryl said...

Hi Goosey....I think a lot of gardens have taken a battering so far this summer.....Hey you have cut all the plants back.....in a couple of weeks it will look stunning again.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Baker.....we all need somewhere to go to calm and refresh us....you are right it doesn't matter where it is, as long as it suits us....

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose.....my niece is a Maths teacher, so I know you would have had a lot of stressful days.....it is good that you found peace in your garden......it probably gave you strength for the next day.....

Cheryl said...

Dear Leanne....I do not want to delve into your private life but I knew that things were very deep with you. I thought of you and others when I did the post this morning.......it was done with friendship........

Roses and Lilacs said...

Your photos are absolutely stunning. So glad I found your blog. I've enjoyed the peaceful moments spent here.

I'll be back soon to see what's new.
Marnie

Tricia Ryder said...

Thank you so much for your calming post Cheryl. I love getting out into the garden, even if it's for only 1/2 hour as I did today, is's so very therapeutic.

Leanne said...

thank you cheryl, much appreciated.

Leanne x

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie....thank you for your lovely comments and for dropping by.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Tricia....It does not have to be a long time spent, just a few moments in the garden can make a world of difference.

Avril Brand said...

Hi Cheryl
Thanks for your lovely blog - a haven of peace and beautiful photo's. A step outside your door and there is a world of life in a garden.

Cheryl said...

Thank you Avril for your positive comments....

ChrisND said...

I am happy that so many close to you find comfort in your garden...and with your presence. It looks like through this blog it also reaches out to others in many locations and life situations. I know that just finding some calming moments can make all the difference.

Cheryl said...

Hi Chris....we all need quiet sometimes, when the pressure of life is too much...We all find our needs in different ways......this is what makes life so interesting.

Dawny P said...

Those white blooms!! Absolutely stunning Cheryl And how lovely that you have created this place where your family can go and heal and recharge. I cannot find words to tell you how special I think that is. And it heals me just by looking at your photos xx. Hope the weather has been kinder to you today xx

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Your love fills every nook and crannny in your garden and in your blog! Your sanctuary is a safe haven for all of life....Thank you for this post.
It is a joy to see the worries of the world fall away from those we love. You have gifted your Mother with joy! You are a loving daughter a kind wife and mother and a dear friend. I find peace and friendship when I come to your garden too.
Your photos are so beautiful, artfilled and creative.
Thank you!
Namaste,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny.....The weather was lovely yesterday and Mr. P. was home.....

It is good to help our family where we can.....family closeness is dying and I think that is so sad....

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....Thank you for such kind words.....they always mean a great deal to me....
The world is changing...I think family values are even more important now.....
Thank you to for your friendship.....

Naturegirl said...

Cheryl nature does heal& comfort>
a garden is a place to heal our mind body and spirit!

Cheryl said...

I agree totally naturegirl.....

John Young said...

Nice post Cheryl. I find it quite relaxing just reading it and looking at your great photos. I find the wild outdoors such a wonderful aid to de-stressing.

Cheryl said...

Thank you John for your kind comments.....

Libbys Blog said...

Oh so true, after the week I've had, even though we had tons of rain, where did I head, too the greenhouse, where I pottered for only half an hour, but oh it helped so very much!!!
Thank you for reminding me about the power of my garden!

Cheryl said...

Hi Libby....hope you are getting some sunshine at last.....we all need our gardens for salvation sometimes....don't we??

Susie said...

Hi Cheryl,

Just found your blog and I found it more than relaxing. I felt 10 degrees cooler just looking at it. Don't know what part of the country you are in but your blooms are beautiful!

Wendy said...

Dear Cheryl,
Your garden brings so much happiness and peace to those around you, as well as yourself. It's as if you are the key; the person who holds out her hand and lovingly "grounds" your family members.
Just my thoughts....
Thank you for a healing, comforting post - I really needed it.

Cheryl said...

Hi Susie.....I am in the south east....and thank you for your lovely comments....

Cheryl said...

Thank you Wendy kind comments.....

Mary said...

Oh Cheryl. We are kindred spirits...you wrote this for so many of us, including me - when I needed it.

As I read this post, I felt my shoulders relax and I sighed.

Wonderful.

I've missed you.

Mary

Cheryl said...

If my posts help one person feel a little better Mary, then it is all worthwhile.....