the patient gardener
“Do yuuuu re-mehm-ber the photo we saw — you knoooo — in that mahhhg-ahh-zeen?”
Nią pinches the blanket on her lap as she grasps for another of Tal’s loose references. She softens her facial clench with effort and asks, “Can you say more — please?”
“The hilll-siiiiiyd,” Tal waves her hand toward the windows, “cuhhh-verd in daffodils. A-cuhrs of them!”
“A Birds and Blooms article… from mother-in-law’s coffee table.” Cal remembers. “One woman… adding bulbs… year after year. Planting pieces of herself… for generations to come.”
It is only when we have renounced our preoccupation with I, me, mine, that we can truly possess the world in which we live.
~Aldous Huxley
Legacy is not what I did for myself.
It’s what I’m doing for the next generation.
~Vitor Belfort
A note from LoveLetterist:
If I remember correctly, the first place I came across the idea of living for one's eulogy over one's resume was in The Social Animal by David Brooks. I find the book to be brilliant weave of fiction and non-fiction... creative excellence.
https://www.amazon.com/Social-Animal-Sources-Character-Achievement/dp/0812979370
Curious about the social sciences?
You might want to investigate Brooks' book.
*And a note from Thalia: Pleeeez note that Amazon reviews and social media shaaaaar-zzz of POISE are welcome and appreciated! Our friend Karen asked her local li-braaay-reee to bring in a copy. THEY SAID YAHHHHHHHHS!