The Enchanted Cottage

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:09 am

I have become quite friendly with the woman who rented me my Tree House apartment. She is the manager of a property management company. When I took this place we negotiated a deal. Reduced rent in exchange for my fixing this apartment up. I have painted and scraped and spakeled, and cleaned. Even stripped, stained, and polyuretheyned the floors. The place looks great. She is amazed at how it looks. Between moving, and working and doing this work, I about beat myself into the ground. Yesterday she calls and says " I would hate to lose you as a tenant, but I have found you the place you originally described to me when we met. I said " God, Emily, I cant move again. I just found my underwear yeaterday" She said, Just go look at it" I did. The main house is owned by a very sweet old man. He lost his wife a few years ago. The " Cottage" is a mini replica of the big house. It is nestled between gardens that this couple spent 40 years planting. Peonies from all over the world. Aco;;ection of at least 100 lilac trees, of all different species. The cottage has a working fire place, shutters, a winding staircase leading to the bedroom above. We walked around the gardens. I was filthy having just come from a gardening job myself. The man is a retired English professor. He loves writing and poetry and classical music. At one point he put his hand on my arm, and said I want you to live in the house. I would also love to have you work with me, in my gardens. I have made my living in the field of horticulture for over 30 years. During all that time, I learned that gardening was so much more than digging and planting. It is a spiritual connection to the world we live in. It teaches you patience, and keeps you connected to moments of awe and wonder, as you watch living things unfold. It also sort of makes you aware and comfortable with death. You begin to view it as a process as natural as living, as you observe plants and trees live their life span, wither up, and then die. I thought, did God put me in this place because he knows, I need this? Because he knows Im suffering, and struggling? I came home last night and thought about whether or not I could handle another move. I cant. I physically simply cannott do it. I am going to see him today, as I promised I would. I will arrange to work a few hours a week for him. This will put me in that beautiful enviorment, which will be healing for me, as I help him. I think I might have also made a new friend. Its not the cottage that is important. He said that since his wife died, everything he eats is micro waved. I love to cook, and I have no one to cook for. So, I could share with him. I never cease to be amazed at this journey we are all on. How there are surprises around every corner, waiting for all of us. The experience made me feel alive, at a time when I have been walking around feeling quite frightened, and anxious, and worried. The gardens spoke to me, and they said " One day at a time. One day at a time.

And here we are, antidepressents in the ground, in every color of the rainbow. Feel the furry leaves on the magnolia buds, breathe in the sweet smell of lilacs, watch the peonies unfold. Bring your troubles to the ponds, Sit on the edge, in the sun, dream while you weed. Gain strength from the soil. Relax as your eyes travel down the graceful curve of branches shooting off of the dogwood trees. So this is what has been offered to me, and Ill take it. It was like a gift from a mystical benefactor. If I am nothing else, I am thankful that I am someone who is aware of that miracle.

jennyswan · Post by **jennyswan** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:30 am

While reading this, I just thinking the same thing. Maybe this is just Gods way of lending you a helping hand. It sounds like a beautiful place. You'll have to post some pics of the garden if the man would allow it.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:36 am

Your little cottage sounds wonderful, and you have gained a trusting friend.

I've worked in my garden all weekend - I can hardly move I'm so sore..

I'll just stick to cutting my roses..

Patsy

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:06 am

What a beautiful post:-4

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:32 am

Excellent Weeder you just never know what is going to happen on any given day. This sounds lovely and a great place for you to get your strength back. You never know maybe in time you will be able to move into the cottage. You never know what is around the corner. :-6:-6

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:26 pm

Laura, You have so many highs and lows I just can't keep up with you! :wah:

Sounds like you have met a perfect friend, it's all good mate. :-4

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:05 pm

"antidepressents in the ground"

AAAAaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh

sofemme · Post by **sofemme** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:41 pm

What a beautiful post. You are exactly where you need to be. Enjoy spending time with your new friend. I am sure it will be healing for both of you.

warmth,

sofemme.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:38 pm

Yeah... Ido have highs and lows...... It is very taxing, believe me. But it seems that just when I am so beaten or disallusioned, or hopeless.. some unexpected encounter comes along to inspire me to keep on fighting. Remember last year when I posted the topic " I gave up God Today?" He doesnt want me to give him up, evidently. Wont let me throw in the towel....

elixer · Post by **elixer** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:42 pm

Your description of the garden is lovely! Great post, thanks for sharing. :-6

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:52 pm

[QUOTE=weeder;831446]Yeah... Ido have highs and lows...... It is very taxing, believe me. But it seems that just when I am so beaten or disallusioned, or hopeless.. some unexpected encounter comes along to inspire me to keep on fighting. Remember last year when I posted the topic " I gave up God Today?" He doesnt want me to give him up, evidently. Wont let me throw in the towel....[/QUOTE]

No, he doesn't Weeder....trust me I understand where you are coming from...once again!

Your OP was awesome, I had tears in my eyes and lost in your descriptive message of what the garden spoke to you and what it can be to all of us.

I think it is awesome that you've met this man, and he definately knows that you are going to be a sweet friend to him, that is a rare thing these days, it is so hard to trust people.

I can understand not wanting to move again, heck you made me tired just reading about all that you have done to the place....but perhaps it is something for you to consider down the road. I would keep that option open, but you know what is best for you and I hope only peace and serenity for you my friend.:-4:-6

sofemme · Post by **sofemme** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:31 am

:-6 God won't give you up. You are just too precious and are an amazing person. That's why you keep meeting, what i call, earthbound angels.....like your new friend. (soft smile)

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:58 am

Hi Sis! :yh_bigsmi

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:07 pm

Wow, Laura:-4

That is one beautiful story that you've written, so full of emotions. Hope all goes well with you. It just isn't your time to move again.....yet:sneaky:

Tell ya what. If you change your mind towards the end of June and want to move to your enchanted garden, then I'll come down your way and help ya move. I don't have the patience to paint the nooks and crannies, but I'm pretty good with the rollers. I also love to clean windows and move furniture around. We could sing some Irish sea shanty songs....... and whistle while we work...:wah:

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:41 pm

Your a gem Kathy... Thank You.:-4 I went back to see the man today. I promised I would. I told him I just couldnt physically handle moving again, But that I would be glad to work in his gardens. I told him that i had absolutely no ego, and that i would simply be his hands. he was dissapointed that I would not be his tenant, but happy to have me as his gardener. I realized the cottage was not necessary. Spending time in the beautiful enviorment is the gift. And I get paid for this!!!! I do hope I get to meet you this summer though. Laura