After nearly 15 years, it is time to hang up my trowel at Ann’s Place. It has been both a joy and privilege to work with its many clients and help design and maintain the grounds. A big shout out goes to Wilda Hayes ( @wmorgh) who trusted me initially when Ann’s Place was in the midst of construction to rip-up-and-replace the landscaping designs that were more corporate then therapeutic in nature (pun intended).
Over the last 15 years, the grounds have evolved from a mass of Japanese barberry bushes and ticks (they still are in abundance in the back wetlands area), to a wide variety of natural spaces that continue to surprise and soothe clients.
When I designed the grounds, it was always with our clients in mind who bravely struggle with the effects of cancer. To do this, the gardens try to tickle all five scenes for most of the four seasons.
While I will miss tending to this garden, I will miss all of my clients even more. They are an astonishing group of people who’s resilience and strength have always amazed and inspired me. Their struggles push me to be a better therapist and always throw something new (and hopefully interesting) into every class. Like a sponge, they soak up many of the gardening lessons and tricks of the trade I bring to each session. And at every meeting they pepper me with questions to keep me sharp and continuously learning.
It has been a wonderful journey and I am grateful that I was able to help so many people for such a long time.
