27 ~ Seedlings of happiness ~

Not “just a hobby”

Not “just for fun”

Not “just a thrill”

Not “just a pastime”

Yes! All of these are included but contemplating beyond… A builder digs deep into the ground to create a solid foundation. Likewise, the deeper i go into gardening, the firmer are it’s lessons rooted.

To nurture a garden is to feed not only the body, but the soul.

Little did I understand the meaning of this sentence; prior to chronic illness.

*Mom & sibling having a conversation*

Mom: Hows the lettuce growing? You planted beetroot also?

Sibling: It grew well & fast..but died during the holiday period with no water…

And they’d go on, happily chatting regarding their plants. I, would busy myself with something else in the meantime or tune back into the conversation when it returned back to a topic of interest.

Beautiful gardens & greenery was always admired but doing it myself did not peak a desire. Until a thought occured that the little patio (opening out from my bedroom) looks sad, empty & lonely.

Give it a “face lift” & life. Heyy, i will attempt doing it myself rather than having someone do it for me. Lets give this a shot!

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Gleefully I stepped onto the shore & threw myself into its embrace. Although there’s a variety of plant nurseries in the different areas of Benoni, exploring them for the first time after many years with an intention of beginning gardening was a different experience compared to normal.

Walking through the pathways with all kinds of plants on either side.. Splish splash.. the most soothing tune from water features set in between…

My soul began kicking cheerfully enjoying every moment. After seeing Dr after Drs face, hearing nonsensical talk.. I basked in the moments that afternoon held.

Try it in summer? Need something to cheer you up? Take a walk from time to time through a garden or park. Listen to the sounds of water or watch a waterfall if possible.. relaxation will be found.

The spirit will be rejuvenated. You will feel fresh & enthusiastically continue day-to-day life. Life will no longer feel like a monotonous drag. Nature never fails!

It’s simple. Few minutes;

Admire the sky being held with no pillars.. Clouds floating through.

Birds flying, chirping & singing..

Rustle of the leaves..

Pitter patter of the rain drops..

Glow of the stars & luminance of the full moon..

The earth has music for those who listen.

How apt?!

Delighted at the thoughts of this new adventure.. I chose my first few plants. Not too many, so I can take care of each one properly.

Anything taken on, be it studies, a job, or task.. I’m a person who puts my all into it wanting everything to be perfect as can be.

(these burglar bars which were placed as a hindrance against criminal’s came in handy to hang flower baskets. SA is famous for a high crime rate. My siblings teasingly term the patio a prison 😂😂)

Petunias 👇

Marigolds 👇. For those not into gardening these are 6 seedlings in a tray, each one is planted seperately. Doing a few gardening lessons here 😉😝

Salvia 👇

Lettuce

Pak Choi – A type of lettuce

From Takealot (SA’s online shopping company) I ordered these 2 books & little planting tools to get started. An issue – the soil thermometer was delivered broken so returned it.

A packet of potting soil & different color pots including a boot & teapot..

A mushroom needing to be painted completely…

Gardening attire

Exploiting began..

Digging & planting

As i threw layers of soul, 1 atop another

My troubles were buried & I felt lighter.

As the seedling were planted into pots, seedlings of satisfaction & happiness were planted into my life..

Awakening each day, I place my hand on my heart, feel it thumping away, express gratitude for being alive to witness yet another day. Open the blinds first, greet my plants, see how much more they’ve grown before going out of the room & greeting everyone else.

The best “good morning” & a beautiful beginning to the day.

Knowing my new obsession with plants, I recieved plenty related gifts 👇

An outdoor bicycle

Breathing in dirt & exhaling flowers. Who knew I would do it with such a passion. This mini garden evolved into dreams… Dreams? Not fairytale ones read in fictional novels or seen in movies.

Dreams of hope for my health, the future, & my life.

The plants grew;

Blooming bigger

Reflecting my daily happiness

Shadowing moments of sadness

Withering away when my illnesses took a sudden rapid deterioration..

And died completely during the period of hospitalization.

[ ROSES ]

Grow amid thorns I pondered. This my field to learn.. The manner & phases in which plants live, grow & die.

To grow.. To wither.. To die.. To gain new lives.. To flourish.. To discover.. To blossom.. To unleash hidden potential.

[ SUCCULENT PROPOGATION ]

A succulent which appears dead rebirths new life from each leave broken.

Similarly, from the broken pieces caused by chronic illness, life can be rebuilt & prosper in new avenues as well.

A succulent who’s leaves are growing with huge gaps in between will not look beautiful once big.

Step 1: Carefully break the leaves off from the stem & place it indoors on a tray for the ends to dry completely.

Step 2: When the ends are dry & tiny new leaves appear, place them on top of soil & spray wet every few days. Twice a week is fine.

Step 3: Allow to grow until the mother leaf begins to wither then remove the miniature with its roots & plant in a pot. And there we have!!

A new succulent beginning to grow from a broken leaf. Broken objects / entities are not useless! They hold great value & contain powerful sources within.

This process took about 6 week’s. It is fascinating & livening.

[ AUTUMN ]

The trees shed it’s leaves.. Flowers begin to wither & life there from fades away slowly.

[ WINTER ]

Most plants die depending on the type & severity. There are, but a few that withstand it’s harshness.

[ SPRING ]

Weather warms, dead plants & torn roots begin to sprout, gaining new life.

[ SUMMER ]

They grow unstoppable. Their presence adds beauty, color & scent to the world. This pleasingness only happens & continues; through dirt!

Look into nature & you will understand everything better.

– Albert Einstein

These 4 seasons represent the phases during this journey where you will be stamped, certain occurrences will make you wither, a part or of everything of you will die temporarily.

It is normal. You will feel sad, you will be angry, you will scream, you will become frustrated. Nothing to be ashamed of. Allow yourself to be.

Do whatever it takes to overcome this phase. At your own pace. Don’t look at others – how far they’re moving ahead or retrogressing backwards. Look at your requirements. Your priorities.

Then move on.

It is important not to throw away your entire future.. Not to throw away resources abiding in you.

Pick yourself up, find your strengths, find things to rekindle your spirits & keep you motivated. Focus & allow yourself to thrive into a better version.

I’ve been there shortly many times. Times where you feel shattered. Where every part of you is in smithereens.

Flowers always grow back up after life – rain, hail or people knock them down. So will I.

Faith is planted deeply within me when I ponder over this fact often: As life is given to dead roots, so can damaged or dead nerves miraculously regenerate prior to the estimated time frame. Beyond the words of researchers & scientists is the command of one who has to say:

Be! And it will be.

Everything has an appointed time & this friend-like-medicine assists me through the waiting period.

Gardening is a medicine that does not require a prescription nor any limit on dosage. A place where I find myself when I need to lose myself.

Oh garden of flowers, roses, herbs, vegetables & all sorts.. I plead you to continue accompanying me when the final juncture of these oceans elapse one day..

The day I travel towards eternal rest.

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Hello there bronze begonias 👇 So proud of you 😂

Cooking with your own hand grown herbs & veggies is thrilling, exciting & fun!!!

Below are a few, there are others like mint, lemongrass, basil, chives, green pepper, cayyenne pepper, strawberries, kale & cabbage that I haven’t taken pics of. Think I should make a garden gallery here lol.

Hey pesto! Garlic is fascinating to grow as well. It grows in abundance. Will do a tutorial on that another day.

Parsley 👇

Celery 👇

Oregano dying a little 🙈

Goji Berry tree 🌲

Aloe Vera in a mini indoor bicycle

Welcome first little sunflower finding its way open

New red roses

Little terrarium made specially & gifted (thank you so much Aunt S.K… I adore it 😍)

[ A LITTLE GARDEN ]

A sanctuary of peace & serenity. Cooling the sight & mind, calming during flares.

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The first mid way stop made to discover a beautiful world on another shore was meant to guide me in overcoming one from among the roughest of oceans thus far.

An increase of dizziness, abnormal racing pulse rates, angina pains, shortness of breath accompanied by an odd dry cough leading to gasping for air attacks, coughing pink tinged sputum & blood, excercise intolerance, unable to lay down flat – struggling to breathe, restlessness, a feeling of apprehension & doom, a lifeless complexion color, sudden wheezing not related to flu, mucus like symptoms…..

The night dreaded most, arrived faster than expected..

“Call an ambulance, call paramedics…”

“No I’ll pull through, I’ll wait until the morning, please wait…”

I begged my family.

Breathing became difficult, oxygen levels dropped, body trembled uncontrollably..

“Will not manage to pull through until the morning”

I muttered weakly.

There was no option besides 1 decision….

Phone calls were vivid, siblings rushed over, sirens blared.

“Stabilise her. Is she stable? Saturation? What number is it? Give her a high flow!”

That eventful night.. A terrifying night.. my oxygen level dropped to a low of 67..

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep – warned the monitor……

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