I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community.
Yesterday was a slow morning in the Children’s Garden at Longwood. I took a book and sat down in the central cove, hoping to engage an unsuspecting toddler in Joyce Sidman’s Swirl by Swirl. Instead, I found myself in a delightful conversation with a couple from Michigan.
They were on their way to the flower show in Philadelphia and decided to stop at Longwood when they discovered how close it was. When the woman saw me with the book, she shared that she had been a second grade teacher. She talked about collecting thousands of books and turning her classroom into a rain forest or a planetarium. We shared favorite titles and favorite authors. Then we talked about the wonders of Longwood and she told me that she is a master gardener and wants to visit as many botanical gardens around the country as she can.
What struck me most about this couple was their devotion to each other. They held hands as they chatted with me, explaining that this trip was to celebrate their anniversary. The gentleman likes to drive, not fly, so that is what they do. He said that he has done many things and been to many places because of his special lady. She shared that for Christmas he still gives her a picture book, preferably one by Jan Brett, her favorite author. My heart felt full by the time they left to find the Blue Poppies.
There are many perks to volunteering at Longwood. This is one of them.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Pure love! We can all wish for this in our own lives. Your chat with this lovely couple set against the backdrop of the beautiful spring flowers is so perfect!
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Oh, so touching! What a great plan – to visit botannical gardens across the country! I love that her husband continues to buy her a picture book at Christmas. As much as my husband loves me and puts up with all the nonsense, he is not going to buy me more books. I have already had several collapsing bookshelves, weighted down with hardback picture books. Your last line is enviable: “My heart felt full by the time they left to find the Blue Poppies.” I wish I had written that closing line!
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We never know what connections we can make when we make ourselves available to them. How lovely that you had this encounter, and in one of your favorite places too. It truly is a small and wonderful world! Thanks for this reminder, Rose.
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What a great story, Rose. People love to talk and share their stories all they need is a slight acknowledgement from someone to get them started. I feel sorry for the people I see hunched over their phones constantly. I wonder what kinds of stories they will have to tell or even if they will be able to carry on a conversation.
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Interesting that is was the book you had that started the conversation. I love Swirl by Swirl, or anything by Joyce Sidman. My husband and I enjoy botanical gardens too. I love going to ones in other countries. Perhaps one day we may get over to Longwood Gardens.
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The woman I visited with also talked about gardens in other countries. And both of us have been to the one in St. Louis (as I’m sure you have, also).
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Actually we are members of that garden, even though we can’t go as often as we’d like.
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I could listen to your stories from Longwood Gardens all day!
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How delightful! Such a sweet encounter. I’m sure it was fun discussing books! I love that her husband gets her a picture book every Christmas! Glad you got to chat with what seems like a lovely couple.
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What a touching love story… holding hands really does show something about a relationship, doesn’t it? You captured them so well – I could see and hear them perfectly. Thank you for bringing me into the garden with you .
Clare
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