Ava Rose

It is said that all beautiful things are reborn in spring. I see the evidence of that throughout my garden. I’m like a greedy child waiting for gifts this time of year. As the garden awakes from a long sleep I’m eagerly prancing about the north lawn getting a glimpse of the loot.
Although a garden demonstrates the science of botany I’m more enchanted by the childish and romantic magic I find there. The lyrics of a Victorian song are “There are fairies in the bottom of my garden”. I think the song reminds us that among the emerging lilies of last year are opportunities to change more than our landscape. All this birth and being reborn inspires a desire to better ourselves.
My garden is not the only thing giving birth. Two of my best friends gave birth to baby Ava Rose. I held her the day she was born and wondered what being a parent must be like. I can only imagine that nothing could make you want to better yourself more than looking into the eyes of your child.
All I could compare it to is my relationship with my dog. She has inspired me to better myself. Although when she found a whole slice of pizza on the sidewalk and carried it in her mouth for three blocks all I could do was laugh uncontrollably. I thought it so funny I tried to walk to Angie’s house to show her. Parents don’t do that. So, I appointed myself God Fag to Ava. Some one has to take the child to musicals. Her parents dislike the genre.
I’d like to think that as a parent I’d bestow upon my child all the gifts of myself. And learn with them the gifts they have been given. Eastern thought suggests that a wise parent is both teacher and student. Oscar Wilde said “Be yourself your poem”. I will tell Ava that one day; and not to eat pizza off the sidewalk.
I wish I’d heard that quote earlier in my life. But, I learned the lesson all the same. So when I disliked my life I fought to change it. A few less than poetic verses don’t have to remain. You can rewrite, replant and celebrate the season of change. It’s like the dead tree on the south lawn. It has to go. It is, after all, the perfect time of year for change, both inside and out.
Welcome to the garden Ava.