I'm Famous!

Of course, I'm not really famous.  But I felt like it the other day!

We went to a restaurant called 'Chicken, Rice and Burgers'.  Not a very catchy name, but one that is quite descriptive.  When we entered it, we noticed their "Wall of Fame": photos of patrons taped to one wall.

After having our lunch (they had the best coleslaw!), the owner came up to us and politely asked, "May I take your picture for our wall?"

A big smile spread across my face.  Well, of course!  Who wouldn't want to be asked that?!  Instantly, I felt like a celebrity!  In fact, our entire demeanors changed.

There were some coworkers having lunch, and they also had their pictures taken, as well as an adult pair of twins, dressed alike.  I watched as each patron's attitude changed.  On the way out the door, I laughed about being famous.  My father, who had just watched the movie, 'The Wrong Man', joked that he now had an alibi, should he need it.  Instantly, the rest of our day was brighter.  Our smiles were bigger. Our laughs were louder.

We felt special.

Roses and Other Gardening Joys turned two years old on January 6th.  In that time, I have blogged about roses, of course.  But also about companion plantings, evergreens, winged insects, garden centers, and vacation spots.  I like to believe that this blog is a little like that restaurant.  The name isn't very catchy, but it's descriptive.

And if it had a Wall of Fame, it would have a picture of every one of you.  Every person that follows, subscribes to, has commented, joined in the book meme, or has read any part of this blog.  I want to thank each of you.

I have written about why I blog.  But I wanted to reveal a little more behind the motivation.  Not long before I began this blog, I lost someone very dear to me.  The garden became a very healing place.   I somehow found joy, even though my grief.  And I wanted, in some way, to share those moments.  And so, this blog became not just about roses.  But about every gardening joy.

Several bloggers I have come to know through this wonderful community of garden bloggers have lost loved ones in their life recently.  Others are still reeling from the Connecticut shootings.  At some time, grief finds us all.

But if you ever go to 'Chicken, Rice, and Burgers', I hope you get your picture taken to be put on their Wall of Fame.  I hope you smile, and feel special.  And if you are grieving, I hope you will find healing in your (real or symbolic) gardens.

I am still finding joy in mine.