Medicine to the Soul

Last summer a friend was visiting and we took a walk in my yard. He stood next to the zinnias, cosmos, and other flowers growing in rows next to the vegetables, and asked me why more than half of my garden was planted with flowers. I was a little surprised by the question, and more surprised that I had a hard time answering him.

I think I eventually explained, "Because I like to take pictures of them." There's something stunning about rows and rows of flowers, to be sure. But that isn't the whole reason I devote so much of my garden to blooms. 

"Because I like to cut and share them" is true, too, but also doesn't explain the way I feel about them. 

And "because they're beautiful" doesn't seem reason enough for all the time and effort. 

Luther Burbank had just the right words: "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul." A quick trip to the flower garden is simply good for the soul.

What are you growing in your garden?