We.
That’s how it began.
The mission group at Cedar Cross heard my questions about the Sunny Garden and answered each one carefully. I began asking these questions months ago, and they became more frequent after my personal painting retreat last September.
“Does anyone ever use the Sunny Garden?”
What’s the story with the arbor?”
“Have y’all seen that wasp’s nest in the studio door to the Sunny Garden?”
The mission group oversees the ministry of Cedar Cross Retreat Center. Monthly the mission group and other volunteers come together for a 24-hour retreat which includes working together to take on tasks that need attention. The task list is reviewed by the group, and each individual is invited to engage any task that they choose.
The month prior I had deeply enjoyed working with Mac in the Moss Garden. Getting my hands in the earth felt so good – healing in a primal way. So, this time I asked if I could rake the leaves in the Sunny Garden left behind from last fall. And I also asked Margaret if she would show me what’s planted where to give me a better idea of the design concepts in play.
Margaret and I walked to the Sunny Garden after morning prayers. She headed straight for some tiny peony sprouts, and then she pointed out some quince that was still blooming from the winter. And then, before you know it, we were yanking weeds and raking leaves. It felt like we were shedding a heavy winter coat on the first warm day.
Butch came along with the leaf blower and the mower to mulch some of the leaves. Others pulled tarps full of leaves and pruned bushes. Vickie noticed a brick peeking up from the main center area.
“Clean me off?”
So she did. I went to prepare lunch and was thrilled to come back to see an entire little brick patio uncovered, and a big bucket of delicious topsoil.
That afternoon Butch helped me move three piles of surplus stones from the Moss Garden. With those available I decided to see if I could fill the pathway with set stones instead of the 12-inch tiles we had been using as pavers.
As we worked I noticed the beautiful bones of the garden — the stone walls, the arbor, and even the fence that despite its dilapidated state still managed to define the space. So much intention and effort went into creating this space about sixteen years ago. I would love to see a photo of it then.
I am drawn to engage this garden. Cedar Cross is vast with many gardens and areas to tend. I have several favorite spots – Fernbrook, the Labyrinth, and Creekside. I’ve noticed that as time passes, my favorites shift and change. But never before have I wanted to go so deep in a space, to unearth it to see what it may teach me.
I began to envision stone pathways into the courtyard, butterflies and birds about, a mix of perennials and annuals and shrubs, a view into the woods, and tucked-in spots for pausing to ponder that could all work together to enrich the experiences of retreatants.
Here we go.
Jimmy Allen
Ginger Allen