There are seasons in life when simply getting through the day feels like enough.
The past several months have certainly felt that way for my family. Between back-to-back health issues, medical appointments, unexpected tests, and the heartbreaking loss of Teddy, life has demanded a great deal of attention and energy.
At first glance, that may not sound particularly remarkable. But when I step outside and look at what he has created, I see something more than vegetables growing in raised beds and containers. I see patience. I see persistence. I see someone continuing to nurture life even during a difficult season.
The strawberries have been especially productive, and the onions have been absolutely delicious. The basil has already found its way into homemade spaghetti sauce, and I have been informed that I need to start harvesting more of the spinach so it does not take over the raised beds.
The tomatoes are mostly for me. Anyone who knows me knows that I can happily eat fresh tomatoes straight from the garden.
Living in Central California, we are fortunate to garden in USDA Zone 9B, which gives us a long growing season and an abundance of possibilities. Many vegetables thrive here, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, lettuce, spinach, onions, carrots, beets, herbs, strawberries, and even artichokes. With a little planning, it is possible to harvest something from the garden during much of the year.
Of course, gardening in our area also comes with challenges. Summer temperatures can be intense, and watering becomes increasingly important as the season progresses. Yet there is something satisfying about walking outside early in the morning and seeing plants that are thriving despite the heat.
- Every tomato started as a small seedling.
- Every strawberry began as a tiny plant.
- Every avocado tree began with the hope that it would one day bear fruit.
- Gardening requires optimism. You plant today believing that something good will happen tomorrow.
Perhaps that is one reason gardens are so comforting during difficult times. They remind us that growth often happens quietly. Progress is not always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a spinach leaf getting a little larger, a tomato slowly turning red, or a strawberry finally becoming sweet enough to pick. Sometimes it looks like healing.
I am grateful for the effort Jim has put into our backyard this year. The vegetables are wonderful, but even more valuable is the reminder they provide that life continues to grow, even during challenging seasons.
Further thoughts from Mom:
This year has tested our family in ways I never expected. Yet every time I walk outside and see strawberries ripening, tomatoes forming, basil growing, and new avocado trees taking root, I am reminded that hope is often found in the smallest things. Sometimes healing begins with a garden. Sometimes it begins with planting something today and believing in tomorrow
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