There are some days where I just have to stop packing and sorting to go outside and walk through the yard, saying my farewells. Today I am saying goodbye to the Oriental Poppies. We planted every flower, bush and tree that surround our home. We know them by name. We understand their personalities and challenges. We know which ones quickly spread beyond their spaces and which ones need extra love. We know which can be divided and shared with neighbors. We know which to cut every Memorial Day to decorate graves with. It’s hard to imagine not living surrounded by our beloved gardens.
I took these pics today to help me remember May at 24 West 500 South.
Here is the Farm House. We will be moving over to this Pioneer home built in 1894 when Adam’s family arrives. This home has taken care of John’s parents and his sister, Berd, in their last years. It has housed each of our newlywed kids while they’ve finished their years at BYU. Next it will be our turn. It’s a home with a lot of heart and charm.
We planted this row of Lindon trees as saplings many years ago after the stand of old tired pine trees died. The city came in to bury the irrigation ditch that ran here, along Main Street, and machines cut through the roots of the pines. Within weeks, they were dead. Now we have a perfect walkway.
We will keep possession of the Farm House with the pool and tennis courts when Adam comes. I am already making plans. This will be our little get-away Grandma House for the kids next door. I am filling it with books and reading chairs and games and puzzles and treats. We will come and go here after we move. I don’t think John will survive long without weeds to pull.
Here is the arbor between the Farm House and out backyard.
Selling our home to Adam’s family is the best possible outcome for us. We will still have access to our yard and gardens, but we won’t be in charge of them anymore. Heidi tells us it will take a few years for them to learn to know the plants and how to care for them. I’m glad for that. We will need a few years to wean ourselves from this beautiful place.
