It’s July and the sun is shining overhead, Grammy is weeding in one of her box-gardens, her fingers and knees are dirty with dark soil, and her curly bangs lay wet across her forehead from the hot sun. She smiles as I approach her, the wind blows her T-shirt against her skin, and I see her. I see her. She’s happy among the green foliage surrounding her and then she asks me to help pick tomatoes from the stalks. The tangy smell of ripeness mixes with the earthy aroma of the soil in my nose as I kneel down beside her. She instructs me on how to pluck tomatoes with ease and tells me with surprise in her voice about how well her cucumbers and squash have done. Although, I know she always tends them well, she isn’t really surprised, but proud. As well, she should be because the care she puts into her garden is the same she gives to all whom she loves, tending to each specifically with diligence and warmth.

I tell her how good they smell while I bring one to my nose. My stomach grumbles and I pop a few cherry tomatoes in my mouth before I head back to the pool. The tangy sweetness lingers as I run off, she calls out to me, “You little…” and she laughs. I turn one last time to find her returning to work in her bell peppers. She is focused and calm, patiently leaning over the box with a tool in hand. I want to run back and hug her, but I don’t, not in this memory because my brother and cousin are calling me back to swim.

My summers with Grammy live vividly and brilliantly in my memories among the flowers and vegetables and herbs… I see now, like her flowers, we are bright and beautiful because she shared her time with us and helped us grow into the people that we have become. We were Grammys' garden, loved and cared for with the softest touch, the most important garden to Grammy, us.

I am so thankful for every moment with Grammy, how she patiently loved me through every step during my younger years, always there to lend an ear, and kindly taught me with her wisdom. Her sense of humor made life so much fun and I loved her laughter. I’m going to miss that most, I think.

In my memory of her box-garden, I meet her smiling face with joyous abandon and in most of those memories, I do go back for a hug.

One last thing, Grammy, if you're listening I received your card the other day, and I miss and love you too.

Impressum

Texte: Cover Art by Jason Dellarusso
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 08.02.2011

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In Memory of Anne Edmonds