Excitement at the prospect
Planning what will go into it
Getting the seeds and the plants that we intend to nurture along
Side-by-side, doing the work of tilling the soil and planting the seeds to ensure a good foundation
Patiently waiting to see new growth
Reawakening of excitement as the shoots come up – we’re starting to glimpse the end result!
Realization of the need to water and fertilize frequently to keep things growing strong
Grudging acceptance of having to weed, hoe and put in some time so the good stuff doesn’t get choked out by the destructive weeds
Frustration in having to prune and cut off potential growth so that the energy of the main plant isn’t sapped by growth going in too many different directions
Glee as the produce ripens to the point that we have enough to add to our meals
Pure enjoyment as the harvest is plentiful enough to become the meal itself
Spontaneous sharing of the abundance with friends and family
Over-whelmed with excessive bounty that seems to keep coming
Dissatisfaction of having to do things when they need to be done to avoid wasting what we worked hard to produce
Effort expended together to can, freeze, preserve what we have obtained
Satisfaction of seeing the pantry and freezer stocked with the wealth of our labor
Enjoying the ability to supplement meals with what we have at the ready
Satisfying, fresh-tasting produce to get us through the cold seasons when the garden is barren
The ability to pluck right off the shelf to share with loved ones for their enjoyment or time of need
Appreciation for the wisdom, the unity, the bounty, and the love that result from combined efforts.
I love the analogy of nurting and tending a garden with that of a marriage. As I garden with my hubby, side by side, I am so grateful to have at last found such a blessing. Thank you for your beautiful post Shel.
It is, indeed, a blessing to have in one person both somebody to labor with and somebody with whom we can share the fruits of our labor! Hope you have a great weekend, Sherri!
appropriate ideas for this time of year…
Love this time of year, Lin – it makes us thing about new growth!
I not only see the connection, but this reminds me that I actually have written stuff with the connection and didn’t realize it. Like a poem called Marriage Doll and the husband has a watering can in his hand….
Makes sense, Luanne – such nurturing imagery!
Wonderful analogy. So true about recognizing the “need to water and fertilize frequently to keep things growing strong.”
Thanks, Carrie. Isn’t if fun seeing the growth spurts with a little TLC??
This is wonderful, Shel!
Thanks, Jill!
Love it. Love Marylin’s summary for it, too.
Thanks, Natine. I liked Marylin’s summary, too!
Shel, this post is the Burpee Seed Catalog of quality marriage gardens! 😉
Another excellent post.
Love your way with words, Marylin – that cracked me up!
This is right on time.
Funny how that sometimes happens, isn’t it, Jr?!