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In the Garden

Give her a spade and a bucket and leave her be

She’s happy digging and touching 

Sometimes tasting the earth 

 

I watch her as she lets the grain particles

Sift through her fingers…she reaches for the 

Moist dirt.

 

The reflection of her great grandmother, 

My mother-in-law, illuminates 

Within her and I realize that I must make room 

For her…….

 

My mind travels back to Lillian  

I desired so much for her to come live with me 

Wanted to make a place for her where she could 

Plant and grow and water all the while singing 

Melodies to the Lord 

I dreamed of how I would have 

A designated area just for her where she 

Could be one with nature……. 

No more making compost in the house and 

Germinating seeds and soil in the bathtub 

 

I loved my mother-in-law although we fought 

About time and order 

We weathered the conditions of life together

We laughed, loved, cried and  

Shared hopes and dreams while cooking 

Arroz con pollo with Ricky Martin 

Or Julio Iglesias blaring in the 

background (she was a hopeless romantic!)

 

How many times we would spend evenings 

Together, me in the rocking chair with one of the 

Babies and her sitting indian style on the couch

With a bowl of rice and don’t forget the cafe bustelo

 

It all comes back to me as I watch my grandbaby 

(Morgan Lillian)

 

Give her a spade and a bucket and leave her be

She’s happy digging and touching 

Sometimes tasting the earth 

I’ll have to make room for 

Her – her own designated area to plant and water 

And make compost. Maybe we will even plant 

A tree just for Lillian and watch it grow

 

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