It is Sunday morning. Normally I would be scurrying around getting ready for church. However, I am a hospice nurse and on call this weekend. So I am enjoying breakfast on the back deck with my computer, cup of tea, the dog and the birds. They are singing their hearts out! Though we live in suburban Atlanta, we live in an older subdivision where the trees still stand. They create lots of fall and spring mess to clean up, but offer shade from the hot sun and a refuge for the birds. We have many varieties of birds and my husband enjoys watching them (me too.) . His favorite is the red-headed wood pecker. They are infrequent visitors, but a real thrill each time they grace us with their presence. He is even willing to buy the better blend of food for them from the bird store. It really does make a difference and we get lovely birds. Last year we were blessed with a mamma great horned owl and her baby. What a treat to watch them. We get a few hummers. Just moments ago a male came to the feeder. We seem to be the winter wonderland for bluebirds. We get a good number of them and they come to the window feeder! Bob has taken some really good photos of birds at the feeder. I will post some.

What a privilege we have as gardeners to "tend the earth." It is hard work, we suffer aches and pains after at the end of the day. However there is such pleasure watching the transformation, whether it is seasonal change in our gardens or the new creation of another planting bed. Sometimes we experience successes with our gardens, sometimes there are failures. At times the gardens bring us joy and satisfaction, othere times we are dissatified with the results and need to make changes. There is excitement as we witness new life coming forth, perhaps from a seed or as Spring awakens those dormant plants from Winter's sleep and trees and shrubs burst into beautifully colored flowers or "Crayola Spring Green." Then there are times we experience death in the garden, either from weather conditions or pests. There are times we just have to start over... Hhhmmm, sounds like life, yes?

As we walk through the garden of life we will have our "Garden of Eden" when all is well. We will also have those times of the "Valley of Despair." Don't lose hope. Times of sorrow can turn into times of growth, Take time for yourself to rest and reflect. In my personal life and as a hospice nurse and as a gardener, I have seens many forms of loss and mourning over that loss. But don't stay there. Do something to move yourself from the valley to the garden again. Look for the "Symphony of Praise" in your life. Seek out that which or those who will encourage you and support you. For me, it is The Creator of The Garden of Eden. He brings peace to the soul and provides me with the ones who care for me. He is the one who brings back the joy. He is the one who allows me to sing my "Symphony of Praise" once again.