As I review the last decade, and move confidently into the future for Memory Garden Retreats, I can only feel very satisfied and pleased. What a congenial community this has all become. I continue to be delighted, hosting new guests to the Bed and Breakfast and enjoying friends coming to the Reiki, Readings and Relaxation days.

It is remarkable to me how all this came about and it is fun recounting the choices that lead to this wonderful outcome.

In the last decade my husband passed away. As a new widow I was often asked if I was going to sell the house. Many commented on all the work the gardens would be. What a surprise! Working in my garden is a joy. Therapeutic, I guess. I have so many memories of George doing everything which I now do. Sharing these memories have created my “grief garden” where I am healed a little more with each conversation. When I was asked to have my garden featured as part of the Georgian Bay Garden Club fundraiser, it was easy to say “Yes.”

The spring of 2008, I volunteered at Community Blooms for the Rural Gardens of Grey and Bruce Counties. As I talked with attendees I would get asked, ”Can you see them all in one day?” And when I said it would take at least three days, the next question was, “Can we stay at one of the gardens?”

With encouragement and inspiring help from my friends, Lisa Cruikshank and Gwynda McKee, my Bed and Breakfast business opened that summer. I’ll never forget my first Bed and Breakfast guest! Of course she toured and photographed the garden and then she asked when the meditation would start. I quickly arranged for a meditation practitioner to come and  the three of us shared a memorable evening, transforming a stranger into a friend. And that is what having B&B guests has felt like ever since.

I now have a  practitioner, Frances Brown giving reiki treatments, and Lisa Cruikshank does card readings with Angel cards. I help with the relaxing part by providing a restful atmosphere and some nutritious snacks. So we journey into 2010 with so much gratitude and happiness. And it will soon be time to start planning for this year’s garden.