Garden Therapy

This is what it looks like now.

This is what it looked like last September.

I spent last Labor Day weekend digging out the old ground cover and weeds that surrounded the back corner of my backyard. Two weeks after burying Tosca, I felt the need to do something physical where I didn't need to think. I just needed to dig; an outlet for my grief. After three 8-hour days bent over on my hands and knees, I finally looked around and had two thoughts:

1. I'm so sore I can hardly stand up straight.

2. What am I going to do with this bare corner now??

This spring I came back to the task. Spending every spare minute in the back corner of the yard, I dug up more of the grass, 

and connected this new section with the previous garden,

pulled weeds (and then pulled the new weeds), 

added a brick border,

and two yards of soil,

finishing off with $100 worth of new perennials and a beautiful mulch.

I love it!

And I think of it as Tosca's Garden.

Remembering with Gratitude

Six months ago today I said goodbye to my beloved dog, Tosca. Although I still miss her incredibly, I’m adjusting to life without her.  I’m glad we didn’t have school today (Presidents’ Day scheduled winter break) – I took a nice long walk through the woods this afternoon at one of our favorite hiking spots, Hemlock Crossing. I don’t think I’ve ever walked there in the winter before; it was beautiful and peaceful. It felt good to just walk and remember the good times we had.

I’m so grateful that we could spend fourteen years together and for all the things she taught me.

Tosca - thank you:

- for reminding me to be joyful in the simple things, like taking a walk or playing with a friend

- for helping me to develop a love of nature and hiking 

- for making me realize that when you love someone, you put their needs before your own

  (even when it involves going outside in the rain or snow)  

- for helping me somewhat fulfill my “maternal instinct” by being my “child with fur” 

- for greeting me at the door each day when I came home

- for being my 45 pound lap dog

- for your unconditional love and the close bond we shared

I love you