Happy Birthday Jack, we share a birthday. Sorry about your Dad. I agree wholeheartedly about the good that is in our immediate worlds, so good to be reminded. I wish you Dad and you all, the best.
Do hope you enjoyed your birthday Jack. The simplest garden observations can keep us afloat in difficult emotional times, - a dew spangled cobweb, a solitary bee foraging; patterns of spores on a fern leaf. Sending empathy and thoughts to you; I am so grateful for close family connections, even if we are physically far apart.
Belated happy birthday, Jack. So sorry to hear about your Dad’s diagnosis. I’m glad you are finding ways to do things together in these most precious times. Thank goodness for the natural world and especially our gardens.
Thanks for sharing; that brought back memories for me. My Dad also had oesophageal cancer over 10 years ago but was one of the few lucky ones where it was caught early enough and a major operation saved him. He continues to do well and is now caring for my mum who has dementia. Gardening and being outside is also my go-to for my mental health. Thinking of you at this difficult time, and as you look towards what's to come.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this, my father-in-law had the same. Thank goodness for gardening and being in nature, it is so soothing and grounding. All the best.
Sad for you but good you can still spend quality time with your Dad, hard to imagine life without gardening and the beauty of the countryside around us. Sending Best Birthday wishes and hoping you have another very successful and enjoyable year of gardening ahead.
Happy Birthday Jack! Sounds like you spent the day in a joyful way. My experience when my Dad had terminal cancer was that being present, just showing up consistently made all the difference in my outlook. Just living in the present with those we love restored my faith in people. All the best to you and your Dad and family.
Happy Birthday Jack. So sorry to hear about your dad.
Another beautifully written post.
Hold on to Hope! Much easier to do with hands in the earth, surrounded by nature!
Thank you Emma - yes I guess also a lesson in most change actually happens from people just getting on and doing stuff
Happy Birthday Jack, we share a birthday. Sorry about your Dad. I agree wholeheartedly about the good that is in our immediate worlds, so good to be reminded. I wish you Dad and you all, the best.
Thank you Lottie
Do hope you enjoyed your birthday Jack. The simplest garden observations can keep us afloat in difficult emotional times, - a dew spangled cobweb, a solitary bee foraging; patterns of spores on a fern leaf. Sending empathy and thoughts to you; I am so grateful for close family connections, even if we are physically far apart.
Thanks Tess, yes it was a lovely day and my family spoiled me with presents and meals.
Belated happy birthday, Jack. So sorry to hear about your Dad’s diagnosis. I’m glad you are finding ways to do things together in these most precious times. Thank goodness for the natural world and especially our gardens.
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing; that brought back memories for me. My Dad also had oesophageal cancer over 10 years ago but was one of the few lucky ones where it was caught early enough and a major operation saved him. He continues to do well and is now caring for my mum who has dementia. Gardening and being outside is also my go-to for my mental health. Thinking of you at this difficult time, and as you look towards what's to come.
Thank you Jo, being outside just seems to be good for everything doesn't it.
Happy belated birthday . Wonderful memories of your Dad and gardening . And when you’re feeling low think of all the people gardening right now 🥰
Thanks Pat, yes that's true I shall do that!
Oh thank you for that. Just thank you.
💞 thanks Julie
Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this, my father-in-law had the same. Thank goodness for gardening and being in nature, it is so soothing and grounding. All the best.
Thank Selina :)
Sad for you but good you can still spend quality time with your Dad, hard to imagine life without gardening and the beauty of the countryside around us. Sending Best Birthday wishes and hoping you have another very successful and enjoyable year of gardening ahead.
Thank you Penny ✨
A beautiful piece of writing Jack.
Thank you Melissa 💞
Much love to you and yours Jack x
Thank you Kali
Happy Birthday Jack! Sounds like you spent the day in a joyful way. My experience when my Dad had terminal cancer was that being present, just showing up consistently made all the difference in my outlook. Just living in the present with those we love restored my faith in people. All the best to you and your Dad and family.
Thanks Leslie, sorry about your dad. That is starting to be how it feels for me too.
A beautiful piece Jack, and happy belated birthday.
Your words are a gentle reminder that soil can soften life’s hardest blows.
Maybe that’s what gardening really is: believing in growth, even when everything trembles. 🌿
Thank you, that’s a nice way to explain gardening as a support.
Happy birthday Jack! I’m sorry to hear about your dad. That must be tough.
Gardening is the best!
I enjoyed your book by the way (a greener life)!
Thanks Will, that's really kind of you - I'm glad you enjoyed A Greener Life :)
Beautiful post and happy birthday. Gardening does the same for me too.
All the best for you and your family.
Thank you Cherisse