We live in the unyielding Southwest where xeriscaped backyards dotted with multicolored rock mounds and swarthy oleander are the rule and yet I have reason to be hopeful that an inviting place like this is obtainable, even in the blistering desert.
Growing up I spent the majority of my days playing in my grandmother's backyard. Located in the same hostile southwest climate but brimming with all manners of flowers, trees, plants, an indigenous cactus or two thrown in for full flavor. It was a place brimming with life and wonder. As a child I would play under the crab apple trees or spend time scooping up apricots while she would see to the never ending task of keeping the yard orderly, watered, living.
Even as she reached her late nineties and into her 100s I can remember her out in the cool morning air spinning whatever magic was required to maintain our little oasis. At the time I took for granted her capable gardeners hands and did not appreciate the wisdom and talent required to bring forth so much life amidst a scorching, barren back drop. To her credit she grew peaches, plums, apricots, pomegranates, grapes, cherries, pecans, spinach, sunflowers, roses, oleander, rosemary, mint, prickly pear cactus and numerous other trees, plant and flowers I still lack the knowledge to identify.
It's been years since I visited her home or walked in the yard.
I think about her often.
Miss her and all those days spent playing under the canopy of trees, trailing along behind her as she worked.
And lately something has been stirring me to pass that on my little ones. I want them to experience that same joy of spending the day outdoors filling their lungs with fresh air, oblivious to the miracles within nature, but witness to them all the same. And although they will never know her, there will be moments when we are planting marigolds together or watering trees that I will be able to share my memories of her. Share with them memories of sitting with her on the front porch swing amid all the beauty she created, quietly, simply listening.
