It's Not Who You Know -
It's What You Grow
by: Arleen M. Kaptur
Plants have been around since the dawn of time. Even in
prehistoric times, plants were right there and nibbled on
by massive size creatures or used as clothing, and house
builders by possibly cave people. Plants are a part of life,
and are very basic.
Studies have been done about plants, gardening, and
people from medical labs to high tech scientific research plants to encourage more blooms, but it is all good-
firms. The number one conclusion is that plants "work" for natured and a start to lasting friendships. Gardening
people. They bring out the best in people, are a very safe allows people to focus on projects other than their own
form of entertainment and the great part is that people aches and pains. Even problems are put on a back burner
who garden are not interested in what your job is, for a bit as you dig, mulch or even just stand there and wait
what you have accomplished in your life, or your bottom for the results. People with poor vision or total blindness
line bank account balance. They want to hear about your were entralled to "garden" by touch and scent. It brought
success stories and even your failures with certain plants feelings of accomplishment and genuine delight. It seems
because advice flows like a river or stream when it comes that if you take responsbility for a plant, you are taking
to gardening advice. responsibility for yourself in that you can close the doors
on negativity for a while and you can open the windows to
At Rutgers University, flowers were the subject of a study bright sun and good feelings.
done to see if they have any impact on human life. It was
proven that "flowers" on a bedside table or just outside a Gardenings in pots, containers, or however it is
window to be seen when arising or resting triggered very comfortable and beneficial to you brings "life" literally into
happy emotions, and gave rise to feelings of life your everyday. They might be small in size, but plants are
satisfaction. They always affected behavior in a positive a "giant" in being good will ambassadors. While not
way and seemed to stem the tide of anger or other having much to say, flowers, herbs, and plants just seem
negative emotions. How many times have you placed a to say "Good Morning" no matter the weather, and when
single bloom in a glass of water on a kitchen counter - bet days are long and burdensome, plants wave you to come
you couldn't pass it by without taking a "peek". Flowers and rest a while, enjoy the beauty and breathe in the
just do good things to people - their delicate beauty and essense of what life really was always meant to be.
their assortment of colors and shapes give people pause
to think, reflect, and know that life is not all problems and So whether you grow plants, give flowers on special
heartaches. It can be a beautiful thing and as a flower that occasions, or place potted plants where an ill person can
wilts but leaves behind the promise of coming back, see them, you are joining hands with the best "people
people see hope in a flower and know that life too turns loving" creations God made. It is believed that people
around and comes back no matter the current status. after surgery who have plants near them seem more
comfortable and require less medication. They seem to
Nursing home or retirement home studies have also been inhale the perfume of rest, relaxation and good things to
done with very interesting results. People who rely on come. But you don't need scientific research to come to
wheelchairs to get around truly enjoy gardening in raised these conclusions, you just need to stop and literally
bed gardens. If the beds are placed on wooden stands "smell the roses." It is a joy to have the first offering of
high enough to bring comfort, dependent people forget lettuce and ripe tomatoes in a salad, and food never
their shortcomings and weed, feed, and enjoy gardening. tasted so gourmet as it does with fresh herbs.
People with dementia or Alzheimer's who were given a
rose or a potted plant soon found something to smile So, however you "garden", please remember that plants
about, or would just hold them and memories flooded are here to delight and love us, and it is our job to bring
sometimes very confused minds. They were happy them to those who cannot come to them. Sharing a plant
memories mostly and smiles and relaxation were the end is like sharing a cool, creamy ice cream treat on a July
results. There has never been a violent act reported in a afternoon. Not only refreshing, but that "after" feeling
garden because gardeners are just too busy digging, stays for a very long time. Plants - well they have been
feeling the warm soil, and envisioning the banquet to around for a very, very long time and have learned a lot in
come from fresh, ruby red tomatoes that just drip with how to share life with people, and if we could but learn
sunshine and long forgotten summertime delights. these lessons - life would be a fresh bowl of cherries just
Feelings of belonging and community fun were seen in waiting to be savored and enjoyed.
groups that usually did not socialize or feel friendly. Sure, Happy gardening
there will be disagreements on just how to trim those ©Arleen M. Kaptur May, 2009
www.TodaysSeniorMagazine.com 32 Today s Senior Magazine does not endorse copy of contents of articles, editorials or ads
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