I visited a wonderful azalea garden Wednesday night.  Through the years, I have met many people while working at good old Roxbury.  While casually chatting with people, I have formed some close bonds.  There are so many people with whom I have developed a tightly bound acquaintance ship, but never actually got past the garden.  A longtime “acquaintance” has urged me to visit his massive array of azaleas for some time and so I did Wednesday night.

     This individual has constructed some of America’s architectural treasures in his life.  Someone does the design and he makes it a reality.  He adopted the propagation and growing of azaleas as an outlet and owns some rare species amidst a paradise of blooming undergrowth.  As we walked through the gardens discussing azaleas I was entranced by the stories of why certain paths were developed and how certain trees were limbed to provide needed sunlight.  The descriptions of the subtle differences between varieties by this gentleman created a distinct line from one plant to the other.

     I told Ellen I would only be gone for an hour or two.  I arrived at 7 PM.   We walked the gardens for an hour and 20 minutes, at which time I was invited in to my friend's home, having expressed an interest in his architectural exploits.  I was pleased to be given a general overview of the dynamics of his finest project.  This structure is seen by almost anyone who visits the heart of our Nation's Capitol.

     By 9:00 our conversation turned to his life and his marriage, soon to be 58 years in length.  He detailed the dedication and devotion shared with his wife.  I gathered that marriage for this man has surpassed all of his other achievements in his accomplished life.  The depth of his feelings was moving and thought provoking.

     From here we transcended into genealogy, which is subject I have long admired.    I learned of his published writings of his family.  I also learned of his faith and morals - pure, simple, and straight to the point.   Onward came his faith in God.  This conversation brought forth a discussion of the history of religion, which circled back to genealogy.  This man is a fountain of knowledge with azaleas as a sidebar.  At 10:15 PM, I took my leave.  I hope to go back.

     What does this have to do with gardening?  I believe we all have a garden within, and this person’s garden is quite beautiful and elaborate.  Until next week.