It's Thyme

I enjoy gardening, but I was never sure what it is about the hard labor and uncertain results that attracts me. However, one of the advantages of owning a home in Minnesota is the expectation that I should have a neat lawn free of weeds, and borders blooming with fruit and vegetables. 
When we moved in the garden had been neglected for over 10 years. Overgrown with weeds, there didn't seem to be anything to save. We hacked down the borders and sprayed everything with weed-killer. Then came the arduous task of digging out the dead and decayed, while waiting for summer.
The waiting is the hard part. I am sucked in by the beautiful flowers at the garden center, and rush home to plant them with visions straight out of "Better Homes and Gardens".  It is frustrating to watch and wait, and wonder why they choose not to flower for me.

This is me in my garden in 2004.  It is the same garden I am now tackling.  Needless to say it doesn't look the same. The phlox and lilies have taken over.  But I smile when I uncover a hosta or cone flower that I planted 15 years ago.  They are still there, struggling to grow between the weeds.  I give them space and replant them; then watch and wait.
One border had been planted long ago as a herb garden with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.  I dug it over to get rid of the grass and weeds.  Then I watched them reappear to reclaim their patch of ground.  I pulled them up without mercy, not allowing them to win.

Until, one day, I got a distinct scent from what I was pulling. I took another whiff and realized it was thyme. Then I started to look closer at what I was pulling: chives, mint and cilantro were popping up, despite my lack of care.
In my flower beds I decided to let things grow in order to try and identify them.  I have discovered lily of the valley, dead-nettle, alium, sunflowers, canna lily, primrose and beebalm.  The alium, and nettle have bloomed. I am waiting for the rest.
Somehow the  waiting doesn't bother me now. I may never see them bloom again, but I have enjoyed discovering them, uncovering their beauty, and rediscovering how they grow.
Instead of wishing for past glory, or anticipating next year's crop, I am enjoying the present. Each plant has it's day.  They continually surprise and amaze me as they pop up, produce leaves and bloom. No day in the garden is ever the same.
I should be used to change and new developments. My life has hardly been settled or in a rut. But I find I still overthink change and weigh out it's merits, trying to predict the future.

That is why, when asked what we were doing for my youngest's graduation party, I answered,"Oh, nothing much." I am not much of a party-er and I was looking for a way round hosting what I knew traditionally to be a lavish affair with catered food and crowds of guests. Is any party worth all the work that goes into planning it?
Oh course family rallied round and gave suggestions as well as physically laying a new patio before unloading tables and chairs.  Our yard and garage were a hub of activity weeks before the party. Because it was then that I realized that you don't give a party because tradition expects you to; you take advantage of the opportunity to give a party. Ben is my youngest and I will never again have a chance to host a graduation party midwest style.  Now is my chance to entertain, bring people together and be a part of a family/community.  (Most of this community is related to me by marriage)  So together we took our place and hosted a party to be remembered.
Twinkle lights strung through the rafters of the garage and guests  were greeted with drinks and some of favorite foods from around the world. No one seemed to mind that they couldn't pronounce "pao de queijo", and were willing to try dates with mint lemonade.

We shared memories and music outside under the lanterns on a beautiful night. Everyone who came got to know us a little better... which is probably why they came. And it is time to make memories here, in this place, with these people; not to dwell on where we have come from, or worry about where we will all end up, but to celebrate this time, here, now.