On a global scale, we all know that the plant world is vital to the survival of our planet.
On a micro and very personal level though, I should begin by saying why plants matter to me. I’m unashamedly a sentimental fool when it comes to gardening and well, everything else really if I’m completely honest.
Those who really know me are fully aware that reminiscing about the past and the things that have made me happy and sad, is an important part of what makes me the person that I am.
Plants for me have definitely been solid markers in my life.
Have you planted things purely because they remind you of a person or a garden that you loved?
I always incorporate plants and trees into my garden designs that matter to my clients.
This weekend, back at my old school in Melbourne, a group of “old girls” celebrated 40 years since graduating. Many of us had been at that school since age 4 and so for us, we celebrate 52 years of friendship. WOW!
Melbourne Girls Grammar School
If the pause of Covid-19 has taught me one thing it’s to stop, think and be grateful for the things that I have in my life and reflect upon the joys of deeply invested in friendships.
Fundamentally, I have not changed over the years, if I’m your friend, I’m your friend and that’s it. It’s a funny thing but actually, time and distance are irrelevant to me and always have been. I have a very long memory, mostly for the good stuff.
Covid-19 prevented me from traveling from one side of the country to the other to attend the main event. Frankly, I have been feeling very cut off from family and friends while strangely, overwhelmingly uncomfortably comfortable in our West Australian bubble.
Reunion via What’s App
One friend, who I have literally not seen or spoken to for 10 years reached out to me this week. Completely out of the blue she called and said-“let’s catch up” and so we did. On Friday, the phone ran hot, reminding me of hours spent on the end of the telephone line after school, even though we had seen each other at school all day. Later, that evening we all dialed in again, three other “old girls”, one in Florida USA, and two in Melbourne. I am super grateful to sweet Kate, for making contact with me. Our friendship has endured and that means something extraordinary must have happened 52 years ago when we first met.
