Nothing I’ve ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my children. – Bill Cosby

A new iris that opened this morning, just in time for Father’s Day!

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me. ~Jim Valvano

New iris blooming

On this day when we honor our fathers, I’d like to thank mine for instilling my love of gardening and nurturing and growing plants, vegetables, fruit and flowers.  As far back as I can remember, we had a garden in our yard and he and my mom taught me and my sister and two brothers how to put the seeds into the soil and then tried to teach us patience as we waited for the seeds to give us the peas, radishes, cucumbers, strawberries or whatever the crop was that season.   He must have taken care of the watering and weeding because I don’t remember that part of it.  I’m sure my childlike attention span didn’t make it too far past pushing the seeds into the ground.  I do remember the delight of finding a new strawberry or pea pod on the plants and the sweetness of sneaking one of those strawberries or pea pods and savoring the taste in my mouth.  To this day, the smell of fresh garden vegetables takes me right back there again.  I’m happy to say my dad is still busy with his gardening; flower, fruit and vegetable, and delights in showing off the beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests he achieves.

Thank you Dad for all the good traits you’ve instilled in me and for teaching me patience and love by showing it, not just saying it.   I am proud to be your daughter and more than delighted when people say that I’m just like you!  Happy Father’s Day!