Life Moves Fast

With wind chill numbers at -14 this morning, you might be tempted to stay under the covers. But if the heart is ticking and there are no aches, pains or sniffles, why let a sunny New England winter day slip by? As Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

So today I pay tribute to the man that opened my eyes to the world of nature and its many wonders. Even though Monday, February 1st, 2010 will mark the two-year anniversary of my Dad’s passing, I would rather tell you today about this ordinary man, usually found with a tool or a shovel in his hand, ready to build or garden in his spare time. My Dad had a passion for gardening. For all that knew him, he spent hours screening the loam, removing every rock or twig. He created mulch piles higher than the treetops from leaves and grass clippings. And transplanting - that was an everyday occurrence. Big trees, small plants; nothing was stationery in the garden. He loved to spread its beauty around. Simple garden chores many of us dread yet he treasured every minute spent in his yard.

He also loved to explore this fine country of ours, packing picnics or the camper for road trips, depending on the time of year. These were his simple ways to discover the beauty of it all but never once did he underestimate its importance. It made those moments spent toiling in the garden even more special to him. My dad got it. He understood what Ferris Bueller meant by, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” If you don’t love gardening, if you don’t love the earth, you are missing out on something really big! My hope is that you get it when you read my blog everyday. Have a great weekend. Annie


Photo of Dad & Annie - September 21, 1991