Gardenias

I groomed our Gardenia today. It's tall and large, and the loveliest of things growing in our front yard. It is this and the Meyer Lemon in our back yard that I hold closest to my heart.

I don't do much gardening. I'm trying to love it; I want so badly to be unafraid of the sun and dirt. I want to be healed by the earth and inspired by the growth. So I went out this morning and attempted to deadhead the gardenia. My hands got moderately dirty and I think that I did.... an adequate job. I couldn't get to the very top, even with the dusty step ladder that I was using, and I avoided the right side almost entirely because of a spider. I was so proud of myself for being outside and got too excited in the beginning, so I when I snipped of TWO unbloomed buds in one cut, I was devastated about what I had done and slowed it down from there.

Even something so grand as this thriving Gardenia has its imperfections and needs a little help. Everything needs comfort. Everyone needs a little help to grow. Tending to this Gardenia was so honoring. I have always been a little wary of things such as this, and despite all my discomfort around the spiderwebs and soil, was able to comfort and take loving care of myself. Such growth.

The leaves of the Gardenia!