Last December I was diagnosed with breast cancer, followed by two surgeries, and seven weeks of daily radiation treatments. Working daily with my students was a great comfort. Everything outside was dead during those winter months and I thought I would never see my gardens again.
I had no energy and thruout May I had only two hours of energy to garden daily.
More than anything else, I missed not being able to clean my flower beds, repot plants, and explore the plants that were emerging.
I vowed not to by any plants since I was having trouble taking care of the ones I already had. It would be cruel to let plants suffer and die.
June afforded me a little more time. I was told that it would take up to two years to regain my previous level of energy.
I decided that I was going to do the activities that soothed my soul no matter how much I spent on plants. I looked forward to picking out new plants, anticipating their arrival, and lovingly potting or planting them.
It just happens that daylilies were in the forefront when I realized that working with plants feeds my soul in much the same way that a fillet minon and a fresh salad feed my hunger. A bottle of a fine red wine clouds the vision and the world is less cruel.
