Forging forward
We did not end 2024 as we typically do, last year we shut down without notice. At the end of our season, I lost my dad suddenly to a hemorrhagic stroke. He was such a strong man who put his health as a priority, so we had envisioned decades more with him. As you can imagine, this put a pause on life as we reeled from the shock and dealt with the realities of death and all that comes with it.
My dad was a big part of my life and a part of Garden Bevy. He was an exceptional finish carpenter, which led to us referring clients back and forth. Here is a throwback picture to a rare moment when we were both working on the same property at the same time! Dad is on the left and my brother (who now runs the carpentry business) is behind me.
For my birthday every year, he would insist on joining me wherever I was working, to help out for the day. Sometimes he would be in the area and join in on a mulch or sod removal job, just to challenge himself physically. He used to tell me that he was trained by Mrs. Fraiser when he was in high school and that she taught him everything he needed to know about landscaping. (This is also why I had him moving material only, ha!)
When he was busy with his art and carpentry work, it wasn’t unusual for him to call me when the weather was bad to ensure I was taking care of myself.
As I am learning how to navigate a type of grief I’ve never experienced, I’m realizing how my outlook and life have forever changed. So many things that seemed paramount are no longer important to me; while people, relationships, and my impact on this world are. I’m seeing life in a full spectrum way that only a loss can trigger.
Moving forward feels painful, but my belief of people+plants=mental and physical wellness, moves me on. I want Garden Bevy creating and cultivating that so very important connection to nature.
Although we usually remain closed until February, I will open now to catch up on where we left off. I so appreciate your patience and understanding as I work on connecting with each of you for this upcoming season.