Cyndi’s blog

The Prayer Garden

It was the springtime of 1986.  I was much younger then, and other children my age never understood a girl like me.  My dad was always away on business trips and my mom was busy tending to my baby brother.  Therefore, I loved spending most of the time with my Nanee´.  My Nanee´ was a strong Methodist woman whose father was a preacher.  My Nanee´ and I would go to the “Prayer Garden.”  She would take me to this heavenly place and we would kneel down in the grass and pray.  Sometimes I would just meditate and let my mind wonder, always feeling protected and safe.  Not long after that, I realized how important it was to have a “Prayer Garden.”  The year that changed my life was the year her heart gave way and she took her last breath in the hospital.  The only way I could gain a sense of comfort was to go back to the “Prayer Garden.”  The “Prayer Garden” was the only peaceful place I could go when I needed to feel secure, calm, and safe.

In spite of the fact that it was many years ago, I still have very vivid memories of the “Prayer Garden.”  My “Prayer Garden” was a grassy meadow bordered by towering oak and pine trees.  The oak trees had spanish moss that resembled trinkets absorbing the sun’s reflective light.  There were wild vibrant flowers that were ever changing their ravishing colors from deep purple to a bright red or from a pale pink to a dramatic orange. The incredible colors never ceased to amaze and delight me. The bright red cardinal flowers with peach antennas had large stems, they never changed their color. From time to time, the blossoms had rose color on the outside petals.  When fully in bloom, the petals are pure white and its tips were pink. The smell was delightful lavender and sweet almond.  The aroma reminded me of the time my mother would not let me attend Nanee´s funeral. I was so upset I could not let go and deal with the loss. Nevertheless, I created my own memorial out of all the white flowers I could find and circled them with pine combs. Every day I would speak soft words to the white flowers, it made me feel her presence was not lost. The air was of sweet gardenias, and to this day they are my favorite flowers.

As comforting as it was, I could hear the birds chirping in the shadows of the trees.  The beautiful dark green turf covering the meadow was like a blanket of soft velvet.  I would lie down in the grass and feel the presence of my Nanee´ comforting me and letting me know everything was alright.  I remember watching a yellow bee buzzing around me like a small fairy, wearing a stripped black and yellow jacket, dancing on the crown of the sweet buttercups.  This gave me great delight as I saw her deposit the sweet pollen that gave the buttercups a soft gleam of gold.

Late in the afternoon, to the left of the entrance into the meadow was a small pond with bold rock formations enclosing the water. I could hear the bullfrogs croaking.  The tree frogs would join in with their songs of jubilation.  While gazing into the water, I could see what looked like a spiral staircase that called me to the enchanted world of my imagination.   

Now that I am an adult, I often consider going back to this place where I once felt such a sense of stability and serenity. I will never forget that even while alone in the midst of things or troubled and distressed by the goings on in my life, I always felt protected in my “Prayer Garden.”     

"Today, well lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness, and tomorrow a vision of Hope."

Ringtones: What's yours and how often do you change it? 
Submitted by enrico.  

I change it every chance I get......... Right now it is SHAKE IT LIKE A POLOROID PICTURE. I know its lame.

Beauty is the reflection of our souls.

What's the most memorable crush you have had? 
Submitted by spectacular.  

The most memorable crush I ever had was with this one guy,........"I actually married." I talked about him every day, dreamed of him. I loved everything about him. He was so charming and sensitive. Every time he picked me up to go out on a date my heart never beat so fast.

Lord I need the strength to look forward and close the doors on my past. I feel guilty every day and hope that someday I will find true happiness, just as I once new. I keep wishing for something that is not there. Please HELP me move on.

"Life is full of bad decisions, we would not be human if we didn't make mistakes. You must always rise to the top before you fall and if you fall keep picking yourself up and try try again."

"Life would be boring if you only walked on shore only on sand."

"Make the best of what you have and live life to the fullest, because there is always someone less fortunate than we are."

" Life truely is what you make it, rain or shine.........this life. It's ALL mine. You can't take it."

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