Once when I was about six, I decided that the fence around my world was now holding me from the big world out there. I decided to follow my mother on her daily trek into the woods. I’d wondered forever where she went, today I’d find out and, get a chance to explore beyond the fence that imprisoned me!

She finished her morning chores, saw to my uncle and me then after a quick kiss for us both headed out with a smile. I tried to be as sneaky as I could. I got some food fer the trip, cookies of course! My mother always had cookies ready, she called them sweets for the sweet. I didn’t know what that meant, but the sure where good.

I then got my knife, well it was my fathers, but I knew he’d want me to have it in case ma needed help. It was a dangerous world out there I’d been told, and I wouldn’t let anyone hurt my ma! Finally I was ready, now it was time to sneak out. I found later that my uncle followed me, he figured it was only a matter of time before I struck out. He was a smart and caring man, I miss him greatly.

I snuck around the back of the house and headed down the path worn by years of my mothers walks. With my cookies at me left and knife at me right I headed into the world! I’d never noticed the many sounds of the woods before, scary. I started humming to myself ta drown out the sounds, I guess it was that day I started what would become a habit throughout my life when I was scared, humming.

It began to seem like this was gonna take the whole day, ma musta been goin’ on a long walk today. Actually I’d missed a turn in the path and had passed her aways back. I continued down the path which began to become overgrown and hard to follow. Finally the path ended in with a large bolder blocking the path. I decided to climb it to see what I could see. It was a hard climb, but I found the top! I’d conquered it!

I looked around once up there, I saw for miles, it seemed, but no ma. Humming to myself I sat down on top of my rock and ate a cookie. I figured I musta taken a wrong turn and decided ta head back. I’d try again tomorrow. The sounds! They seemed to increase with each step till it seemed the whole woods would explode before me! There was a strangled cry from something big, then the forest went quiet. I didn’t know a that time, but my uncle had just killed a mountain lion that was stalking me. All I knew was that the absence of sound was as frightening as the unknown sounds that had assaulted my ears just before!

I decided to run, I was good at that! I flew up the path as fast as I could. The world was a blur as I ran, soon I even forgot why. All I knew was that I was free and there where things to see and do. So I ran. There was a fork in the path ahead I had not seen while coming down the path, that must be where she went I thought. So I took the fork, but now I slowed as I knew not this one. It was well worn as the upper path had been. Surely this was the way. I began to hear something I recognized as my mothers humming. She was always humming or singing! I slowed, not wanting to disturb her, or even to let her know I was there. I knew she would be upset if she knew I was beyond the fence. I didn’t like to upset her, so I snuck up on her to see what she was about. What I saw has stuck with me to this day!

It was a small glade, circular. I could see that it had been cleared out of rocks and trees. Surely my father had done this before he…She was tending some plants. They were surrounding a stone seat cut from a large stone. From where I was, I could smell the fragrances of the many plants. Wonderful I thought. I continued to watch her tend these strange and beautiful plants. I could see they meant a lot to her. She sang to them just as she sang to me. She talked to them and gently touched each one.

This went on for awhile till she stood hands on hips admiring her handy work. She walked all around the circle of plants, after she was satisfied that they were all well, she sat on that stone seat and bowed her head. She began to say something I couldn’t hear. I started to get up when a voice came to my ear along with a hand over my mouth.

"This be yer mothers private spot cub." Twas the voice of my uncle. "Don’t speak." He removed his hand. Pointing about the clearing, he told me that my father had indeed cleared this spot for her. He said she’d needed a quiet spot, and a wee bit of color. My father had traveled many a mile gathering flowers of all kinds for her and even carved the seat fer her. He said they both use to sit here before…He told me my mother had fallen in love with the roses, especially the yellow ones. Said it was the one color missing in this land of snow and death. He said it had taken many years for the garden to flourish, even my father had had a hand in raising them. He would come here after each of his trips. He was a soldier, and needed a place of peace where he could leave the ills of the world.

He stopped as we saw my mother look up, her eyes were wet, but she had a smile on her face. I knew she was thinking of my father. I wanted to rush to her side! I tried to get up but was held by my uncle. He turned me to look into my eyes, I know not what he was looking for. I felt him look deep, to this day I know not what he searched for. But he must have found it, for he gave me a bearhug and sent me on my way.

I ran for a few steps till I was sure she could see me, then stopped with hands at my sides leaning her direction. I didn’t know what she would think, I only knew I needed another hug as much as she! She looked at me then down again. I almost cried! Then she looked up into the sky and spoke again words that escaped me. Then just as quickly she held her arms out for me! I ran as if chased into them. We both cried and cried. I tried to hug her the whole time, but she held me so tight I could barley breathe at times.

She said nothing, but that was okay. We just held each other there in her private garden.

That was the first of many trips together to care for the roses. I grew to love this place as she. We spoke of many things here. My fondest memories have come from a rose garden, so no, twas not a punishment but a blessing to be sent to care for this garden. One for which I shall ever be thankful.