Joan

Ten months ago Joan lost her 19 year battle with breast cancer. But what she left behind is an amazing legacy. I miss her terribly. While she and I were not close freinds she touched me deeply and changed me forever. She was a model of fighting for what you believed in no matter who stood in your way. She surrounded herself with the beauty of our planet and became know as the garden lady. She was the one who every year took charge of the school garden. So this year it was imperative that the garden be kept running in order to honor her memory. I don't often step up to take charge of things but this one was an easy call for me. What could be better than hanging out in the garden and embracing Joan's memroy. So yesterday I made my way to Summer Winds, asked for a school garden discount and set about to become Joan's partner in the garden. She was definitely present through the weeding, the composting, and the careful selection of the poppies that could be sacrificed to make way for the strawberry and tomato seedlings. She sat on the bench and kept me company during the digging, the patting, the smoothing and the watering. It was good to spend time with her again. And today as I walked by and marveled at the beauty of those sturdy plants soaking up the sun I felt her once again watching over the garden and all who love it as she did. Thank you Joan for all you gave to us. Thank you for showing us the beauty in the natural order of life. To everything there is a season.

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!