One garden here at the old farmhouse is extra-special.
Partly shaded by a large red maple, it has two dogwood trees, two purple lilacs, a Japanese maple and a forsythia shrub. The Japanese maple was stuck there “temporarily” but was somehow forgotten and has outgrown its spot.
“One of these days, I’ll have to move it,” my husband says. But that tree is so big now that I suspect it’s not going anywhere.
Hydrangea shrubs and tree peonies also flourish here.
In front of them are smaller plants: Solomon’s seal; ferns; the intriguingly shaped “Jack-in the Pulpit”; the occasional trillium (Ontario’s official flower); may apples and another woodland plant whose name I never learned.
Pink tulips come up every spring, as do daffodils, astilbe, and hosta. It’s the only garden bed that’s home to such a variety of characters: woodland, shade, and sun-loving plants.
No wonder it’s called “Mama’s Garden”. The children she mothered are a variety of characters too.
Throughout the spring, pink lamium borders one side of Mama’s Garden, while blue forget-me-nots border the other. Recently, though, they’ve both strayed into the path.
“Your garden would look better if I could weed the path regularly”, I apologize to Mama.
And I can hear her voice saying: “Ah, m’dear. It’ll get done. Right now, there are more important things on your plate.”
My husband named the garden in tribute to Mama’s great love of gardening.
My mother died several years ago.
On every Mother’s Day since, I head out to Mama’s Garden, no matter what the weather, no matter what condition I’m in. I bring a sturdy mug of coffee, walk through the entrance arbour and down the short pathway, looking at the growing things around me.
I sit on the stone bench at the back of the garden.
“Thank you, Mama,” I say.
There are so many things to thank her for.
So I thank her and I thank God for her, and sometimes the talk with Mama gets mixed in with the prayer and it feels like the beings I am talking to are one and the same, but I don’t think either Mama or God would mind.
I give thanks.
For a mother who loved and tended her family. For a mother who taught us the importance of growing things. And for a mother whose love and faith live on in our hearts.
Garden photos by Hamlin Grange. Photos of Cynthia by Dale Ratcliffe.
This post is dedicated to my mother and mother-in-law, who mothered not just their own children, but all our cousins and friends when they needed mothering too.
Happy Mother’s day, and happy belated Mothering Sunday, to all women who tend and care for children.
Cynthia Reyes 
Nice tribute Cynthia. I’m glad that you have a special place in your heart and garden to treasure your Mothers. My mother gave me the love of garden too. Happy Mother’s Day,
Thank you, Brad. I’m glad you like it. I hope you have a lovely day.
Thanks, Happy Mother’s Day
Thanks.
A lovely space to be on Mother’s Day. Beautiful.
Thank you. I hope your own day is going well.
❤ So well said, and such a beautiful garden.
Thank you, Aggie. Wishing you a lovely day.
Happy Mother’s Day! Mine has been lovely.
Wonderful, Cynthia. It seems mothers and gardens somehow always share a physical and spiritual link. Of all the Mother’s Day tributes I’ve read, yours brought feelings that made me cry.
Oh, Georgeina, I’m sorry to make you cry. But I’m so pleased that you like the tribute. Thank you and wishing you a lovely day.
What a lovely tribute and heartfelt post, Cynthia! Enjoyed the photos of your beautiful garden. So natural. 🙂
Thank you, Iris. That’s what I’ll tell anyone who comments on the unruly parts: It’s just natural! And it really is.
Personally I like a garden looking natural. Have a good week, Cynthia. 🙂
Thanks!
Beautiful tribute Cynthia and thank you for sharing those lovely pictures. My own mother was not a gardener but she loved, nurtured and tended her children unconditionally. My own garden is a tribute to her.
Thank you, Gail. And a happy Mother’s Day to you. How lovely to learn that your garden is a tribute to your mom.
What a pretty garden – the flowers in the path just add to the beauty of it all I’m sure. Lovely thoughts expressed so well. Happy Mother’s Day!
Now that is positive thinking! Thank you, Clare.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story! My mother also instilled in me a love of growing things. It’s such a wonderful gift!
It sure is, Lori. There’s something magical about it.
What a fine tribute to your mother. My mother is also a gardener, and when you ask her what she wants to do on Mother’s Day every year, she says, “I wanna plant some stuff!” And eat wilted lettuce. Every year. Beautiful post, lovely pictures, and you look so serene sitting there on that bench, conversing with your mother and God.
Oh, Rose.
Thanks so much.
wishing you a good week.
That’s a lovely tribute. Good to read today.
Cheers
MTM
Thank you, MT.
Beautiful garden and lovely tribute to your mom! Blessings, Natalie 🙂
Thank you, Natalie. And how does your garden grow? Wishing you a good week.
I’m speechless at how beautiful this is–truly. It makes me wish I could have the same. But I know well the time and care a garden like that one takes! Amazing. I may just have to combine Japanese maple and lilac–I love the colors together!
Oh, Kay. (I just realized that sounds like OK…) Thanks for this remark. It’s had no care in nearly 2 years!
Belated Happy Mothers Day…
What a beautiful garden and tribute to your Mother….
there is such a peace-filled energy flowing through your photos…I enjoyed wandering there in my mind…Thank you for sharing….
Take care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
I am so glad to hear that, Mary Rose. Thank you.
And welcome back!
Thank you I appreciate the way you always make me feel welcome
A wonderful trait for cyberspace…a real energy so to speak LOLs…probably why your gardens feel that way 🙂
You have a good weekend….
Take Care…You Matter..
)0(
maryrose
Thank you! Have a great weekend.
What a lovely, lovely garden, and what a nice tribute to your Mom. Thanks for sharing this, Cynthia.
On a more humorous note, one thought I had as I scrolled through the photos was, “Cynthia must not have deer up her way.” That garden wouldn’t last a week here in my county. Another thing to be thankful for. 🙂
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne:
We have deer, alright, but not near our present home.
What we have is an army of wild rabbits. Worse than deer, so we have to plant judiciously.
Thanks for liking the garden and the tribute to Mama.
Reblogged this on Cynthia Reyes.
We have Mother’ s Day in March but what a lovely tribute to your Mum. I enjoyed the photos of your lovely garden.
Thank you, Chloris. And I am enjoying your Blooming Garden too!
My mother died before I turned 2 but my grandmother was a fanatical gardener who passed on her love of plants to me. This post reminded me of her, so thank you for that. Happy mother’s day!
Strange, growing up without your mother, I imagine. I’m sorry to hear that, Allen. Yet, how lovely to have a grandmother who passed on her love of plants and I’m very glad this post reminded you of her.
A beautiful tribute to your mother, Cynthia. Yes, gardens have a physical and spiritual link, no question. My mother has been gone for 8 years now. I hear her in the garden.
Interesting that some of us hear our mothers in the garden, isn’t it? Wishing you a good day and I’ll check again to see if your newsletter is posted.
Finally got it posted. 🙂
And a fabulous update it is.
Your writing about your mother in your book was full of love and it looks as though this garden is full of love as well. You look so at home among those beautiful flowers! Thanks for the Happy Mother’s Day wish and Happy Mother’s Day to you also:0)
Ah, Beth! Thank you. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
Lovely and poignant post, Cynthia. happy Mother’s day to you too, Johanna
Happy Mother’s Day to you too, Johanna. So glad for your family that the younger Mr. Walker came home recently.
Nice post, my mother is gone and I still talk to her while in the garden, mainly because I think she can hear me there..
Happy Mother’s Day!
And to you. I can relate!
Sitting with tears in my eyes as I marvel at the beauty of your garden and your ritual. Particularly as I read your book and feel I know a bit more about your mother. That forsythia shrub alone is a tribute! Beautiful.
Thanks, Kay. I am touched by your response. And I hope one day soon I’ll be reading your book too! Such a strong writer you are.
Beautiful post, beautiful garden. Your Mum would be so proud ..
Thanks, Julie. I think you’re right!
I think Mama’s Garden looks perfect just the way it is! Your post is lovely, too.
Thanks, Kerry. Wishing you a lovely day.
Mama’s garden is lovely, Cynthia. Having read about her in your book I can imagine the conversations you two have had and have when you’re in her garden. I see love and generosity in every photo! You look very content sitting among Mama’s garden with your coffee.
You are so right, Geralyn. Thank you.
Love this!!!! What a tribute and her legacy lives on in you and your children!!
Tina, that’s kind of you to say. Thank you. I hope your Mother’s Day was lovely. Did you at least take a break from your many Super Woman duties???? (smile)
I commented last year but I just had to say how much I enjoyed re-reading this post. I am fortunate in having my mother around still. She enjoys working in her garden but because of her arthritis and bad eyesight she can’t do as much as she would like. The one good thing that has come out of my brother’s separation and divorce is that he now lives nearby and has started visiting Mum regularly and is helping her with her garden.
Thanks for commenting again, dear Clare. I am glad your mother is still around, and that your brother is closer. That’s a good turn of events.
Yes it is. They both get comfort from each other and with Andrew (my brother) visiting Mum I don’t feel quite so responsible all the time.
Good to hear, Clare.
Oh, how very sweet! There is nothing better than sitting spell with a good cup of coffee and visiting with God and remembering our special loved ones.
Mama’s Garden is beautiful!
Well said, Chasidy. Amen to that. Mama’s Garden is looking good now. By summer it will be a jungle – tall plants in front of small ones — and I’ll need a tour guide to find the sweet smaller plants.
It will make a perfect blog post for summer 🙂
A beautiful story and a beautiful garden. It’s so lush. I can feel the Ontario spring air just looking at your pics even though I’m far from home 🙂
Are you from Ontario originally? I’ve forgotten. I’m glad you like Mama’s garden.
Yes I am. I was born in Belleville and lived in Hamilton before moving to California. Most of my family is up there 🙂
Glad to know.