Tangled Roots

I love gardens.  I guess one usually thinks of gardening in the spring and yes, that is a beautiful time.  But I am really enjoying the fall gardens this year.  Maybe it is because the mums I planted last fall after the blooms died back are alive and well in the backyard this year.

There are yellow and burgundy mums growing randomly against the house.  They don't look as perfect as the mums in the gallon pots I bought this fall, but I like that.  They are different heights and kinda wild-like but stunning.

Now when my Master Gardener friend came to visit recently, I didn't get to ask her what she thought about my garden of mums and monkey grass.  I'm sure she would have been kind, but it really didn't matter to me.  I like them and proud of the fact that they actually came back.

I guess I was somewhat surprised when the mums came back because I really know just very little about planting.  I know that when you take the plant out of the pot, you have to spread the roots out.  Generally they are very tangled; some are even growing through the bottom of the pot.

Now that is about the extent of my gardening expertise.  And I haven't engaged in any of my "heavy duty" gardening in awhile.  But what I have done is paint a picture for a dear friend who is about to celebrate a big birthday--you know, one of those that end in 0.  After painting the picture, I decided it needed a perfect quote to top it off.

I could have thought and thought and thought and come up with a sentiment to use, but instead I resorted to "googling" quotes.  Do you know that there are millions, no billions, of quotes about everything.  Well, I wanted an extra special one about friendships for my extra special friend.

I found a bunch.  Some were way too wordy.  Scratch those.  I'm sure they were very meaningful quotes, but remember, I was a preschool teacher forever.  I like short books, short sentences, and lots of great pictures.

Nevertheless, I won't list all of the quotes I actually read and liked, but the one that grabbed me was this:

"Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled.  I'm glad for that."  Ally Condie

 

WOW!  Isn't that good? 


That quote made me think not only about my garden but also my friend.  You know so many of metaphors of gardens and friendships.  But what struck me was the phrase, "our roots will always be tangled..."

My friend and I were young adults when we first met, but I still believe we grew into an awesome adulthood together.  Although there were many times we were as carefree and playful as young children, we had our serious times as well--tangling our roots tighter with each experience.

We have helped each other through good and bad times.  And I would do anything for her and I know she would for me too.  Before I moved, we would spend a Saturday or two each month running around.  I love her.  We would laugh and laugh.  We would eat Mexican food or if we were being "good," we would divide a sandwich and fore go the french fries.

We would attack painting walls or even wall-papering walls or moving heavy furniture.  We discovered that if we had a beer or two, we would do much better.  (Sometimes it took us until wee hours of the morning to finish our projects--and beer!)  We shopped together--tried on clothes over our clothes cause we didn't want to go to dressing room.  That was fine until the time she couldn't get the dress off that she pulled on over her clothes.  Then there was the time we had to try out the hula hoops at a discount store. 

We never were asked to leave a store, I promise.  Because of her, though, we knew where every restroom was in every store in town.  I could count on making memories on any day I spent with my friend.

Then the husband and I moved to Texas for five years.  My friend and I still talked and saw each other a few times.  Each time we got together, it was like nothing had changed.  But in reality it had.  When we moved back, my friend and I didn't get together as often.  Those weekend days had been filled with other friends of hers; I had a grand baby that I wanted to be with.  She had several grand kids that took her time.  She worked full time still; I didn't.  So I was sad that we weren't able to pick up exactly like we left off.

But when I read that quote, I realized that we will always be connected.  Our roots run deep and are pleasantly tangled.  I love her and enjoy the times we spend together as much as ever.  Sure I wish it were more, but our friendship has survived and perhaps even strengthened because of realizing the value of the tangled roots.

I am glad for the side by side times with my dear friend.  I'm sure there will be more and more.  I am glad for those roots that through our deep friendship got tangled and strong.  I am glad I have her as my friend and know that just like my perennial mums, she'll be there year after year.