Zen Peony
Zen Peony
I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman
I’d have to say I agree with Emma Goldman on this one. For one of my landmark birthdays, I asked my husband for a large rock. Not the kind of rock I’d put on my finger, but a large boulder for the front yard. I wanted to plant flowers around it.
I took a bare spot in the very back of my yard, behind the woods, years ago, and turned it into a cutting garden.
Watching my mother die from Alzheimer’s was very painful. The experience taught me how to care for my soul. Starting that garden was part of that journey and what an amazing gift and sacred space that garden bloomed into.
Having beautiful fresh flowers in my home was one of those small things that soothed me while I was caring for my mother. I also liked to bring flowers to her.
I once thought, if I could have peonies all year long it would make me happy. But then again, would it? There is something special and sacred about the rhythm of nature. Eating fresh foods that are in season, enjoying the blooms of flowers when they are naturally in bloom and not forced. I have more gratitude and appreciation for some flowers and foods because they are only available once a year. They are ripe when it is their time, their season, and then they are gone until next year. I enjoy them more deeply knowing that.
There is nothing that teaches the art of being in the present moment like Alzheimer’s. There is also nothing that teaches being in the present moment as well as a blooming flower.