Apart from the contracted work that makes up 99% of the Four Seasons business, There are a number of small, occasional jobs that I get called upon to do on a yearly basis, mostly keeping people hedges under control in their own private gardens.
Roughly every three years I am called to a garden that leaves a lump in my throat every time I visit. The owner of the house is an ex Royal Marine commando, who, during the Gulf war was injured quite severely and pensioned off as a result some years ago now. Apart from the horrific injuries, he consoled himself with the fact that he could now spend the rest of his life enjoying the garden with his wife, as they had previously tended it together when the army allowed him home. Some six or seven months later his dear wife was sadly taken from him, and he has been on his own ever since, and as you can imagine, the garden holds such memories of their time together that he can now barely set foot in it and has become something of a recluse. Each time after I have been to tidy it as best as I can in the couple of hours available, it stands still again for another three years until he feels that something has to be done. When I first started to uncover areas of it some years ago now, loving mementoes of their time together such as a hanging plate with two lovebirds and his and his wifes names on appeared. I feel that I had to say something about this incredible man, who, like so many others, are true heroes who have simply been forgotten and are now simply living their time out as best they are personally able to.
Below are a few pictures of his garden when I visited today.
Before
Before
After
After
Dear Gary, What a poignant posting. But, you are very obviously helping as much as you are able, or permitted to do, and I am sure that the garden owner is more than appreciative of your work. The 'after' pictures show a complete transformation which, given a limited amount of time, cannot be easy to achieve.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, so nice to ever hear a man ( instead of a woman ), write and notice any romantic remnants in a garden or anywhere. He is glad you are there, and would be very glad to hear from you that you noticed touches of his life & love, leftover in his garden. Nice transformation, Gina
ReplyDeleteHello Gary - a salutory post. Good to be reminded that life is not a bed of roses. It's a sad story of loss and loneliness. I do hope that this heroic man finds his garden transformation alluring enough to one day venture out and start enjoying for himself
ReplyDeleteLaura
Gary, I was saddened to hear of the misfortunes that have befallen one that has given so much. This sadness was lightened though by the knowledge that the kind spirit embodied in yourself tread softly and respectfully in this man's garden. - G
ReplyDeleteEdith, Gina, Laura and Gary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words. I am certainly left feeling humbled and incredibly lucky every time I come away from there.