A Mother's Day Legacy .. AT MY ROSE GARDEN

The concept of leaving a legacy is all too often discussed in monetary terms.  But the legacy my mother left to her grandchildren is incalculable;  a love of family, cooking beautiful food, the beauty of simplicity, and doing small acts of kindness that make the world a little better for others.

And as I look toward the next generation, I see the legacy my daughters and daughter-in-law have inherited and that they in turn are passing onto their children, our grandchildren.

So as we celebrate Mother's Day  I wish for a world where our grandchildren can grow up safely, with the ability to thrive and enjoy the many wonders of the natural world.  A natural world without exposure to harsh toxic sprays that are too often seen as a 'necessity' in order to grow food and flowers.

I wish for my grandchildren to experience a natural world that is still safe as well as beautiful, with abundant wonders and delights that surprise; especially when they visit their grandmother's rose garden!!

And as their grandmother, my joy will be complete in watching their childish delight as they explore the natural world around them; such as spying a tiny green frog snuggled among the rose petals;

.. or counting dewdrops on a spiderweb draped between rose bushes;

.. pondering ragged holes chewed into a leaf by a cheeky caterpillar;

.. seeing buds open into full blown blooms;

.. blooms they can safely bury their noses in and breathe in gulps of fragrance;

.. picking daisies with abandon;

                  .. and watching in wonderment the glory of a sun setting 

that is not distorted by smog and toxic fumes.

A legacy I wish to leave my grandchildren consists of numerous simple acts; choosing not to use pesticides and toxic fumigants as part of the treatment for herbs, vegetables and flowers.




Where food and flowers are grown as nature intended, in time with the rhythms of the seasons. 


And where the best of age-old wisdom and scientific knowledge are integrated in sustainable horticultural expertise.




As my mother taught me, small acts can have a lasting impact.  

So when you order flowers this Mother's Day, ask for local flowers that are grown sustainably ..  




That's the legacy I'd like to leave my grandchildren.