Summary
Loved ones who have passed away can evoke special memories.Lynn Kirkland writesof planting aspecial garden.
GARDENS and gardening are therapeutic. At this time of the year its easy to forget our connection to nature because of the heavy emphasis on material acquisitions in the name of Christmas.This week is special for us because it will be three years on Sunday that we had to say our final goodbyes to our beloved dog Jasmine.Jasmines garden is developing more and more into a special, tranquil place.The photo shows Ashleigh and Jonathon Craw, the children from across the road, who bought a gift of the Precious Pet rose when they heard that Jaz had gone to doggy heaven.Three years on, this rose is a delight, blooming profusely all summer.If you look behind Jonathon, you will see an image of Jasmine on the archway over the seat. Printed over the photo are the words our daughter Sarah wrote as a tribute to Jasmine and explaining why the garden is planted with certain herbs.Plants can be chosen to evoke special memories.First and foremost, we chose to grow jasmine over the seat. We choose white jasmine.In the language of flowers, white jasmine means amiability and cheerfulness.This was so appropriate for our labrador.We planted olives because they are significant of peace.Jasmine (or Jaz as we often called her) was only eight years old when we discovered she had a tumour.Orthodox treatment, herbs and auric healing all helped our beautiful pet, however, it became obvious that a cure was not to be and we could not see Jaz suffer.The struggle ended early on the morning of the December 19, 2001.It broke our hearts to say goodbye but we knew that she would be at peace.The olive trees in her garden remind us of a peaceful resting place.The woolly lavender kindly given to me by Judy Deans is doing well. This grey soft-foliaged lavender is forming a lovely border. One only needs to touch the leaves to be reminded of the soft coat of our dear loyal friend. Yes, lavender means loyal friendship and devotion perfect for a loving pet.The rosemary in the spiral garden is for remembrance and it is surrounded by a cushion of golden thyme.Thyme means courage and I chose golden thyme to fit with her breed, golden labrador.Planted in the garden are alpine strawberries as these were a much-loved treat of Jazs. We always knew when the juicy delicious alpine strawberries were ready as Jaz would be seen snuffling among the plants and enjoying the ripe ones. Yellow ones were her favourite. A garden of memories with herbs, flowers and plants with a significant meaning to the ones you have lost can be very healing and therapeutic. Find a book on the language of flowers to help with your choices. Roses signify love. There is such a huge variety of them that you can often find one with a name that has special meaning to you. Precious Pet rose is a very special part of Jasmines garden, so thank you for the loving gift brought over the road three years ago by our thoughtful neighbours.See the full content of this document
Extract
Garden of Memories
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