The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.1
There is nothing like the pleasure of a carefully tended garden. I spent most of May at home with my mom in suburban Toronto, whose backyard is known throughout the neighbourhood as an oasis of sensual delights.
On a typical morning, I would wake to a cool spring breeze wafting through my bedroom. Making my way to the bay window overlooking the day’s newness, I’d marvel at dew-glistened young leaves, the lilac and peony trees readying themselves to burst into bloom, or a cardinal pair taking turns with sparrows to enjoy a snack from the hanging feeder.
The old birch, adorned with baskets of deep pink and purple fuchsia, still manages to provide a patch of shade over the patio. A faithful presence for nearly sixty years, the tree has witnessed so many seasons of our family’s life – our celebrations, our sorrows, our comings and goings – shading us from summer’s heat, while providing a resting place for countless birds. Its years are numbered now, and I realize how often I’ve taken its constancy for granted.
Wandering out the backdoor, I catch my breath at the air’s crisp freshness. The woodpecker at the feeder now, just a few feet away, trusts my presence and continues its feast. Two squirrels, a black and a grey, chase each other among the budding roses and run to the cedar hedge for cover. Patches of disturbed grass are evidence of our nighttime visitors digging for grubs. A robin hops daintily from place to place, its keen eye trained on any movement that might give away a worm it can take back to its nest of fledglings.
It’s a peaceful place to be, to breathe and to pray.
As the day unfolds, Mom tends to the needs of her garden folk, each one known by name. One requires pruning, another support or the painstaking removal of pests. Carefully manicured beds have become more generously curved over the years, their inhabitants taking turns to reveal exquisite beauty as each season unfolds. The work is demanding and having poured herself into this precious piece of earth for nearly sixty years, Mom’s body cries out frequently for rest. Still, the miracle of the first peony bloom, or lily of the valley fragrance, or hydrangea, canna lily, or rose, occasions deep wonder and joy.
Later in the day, I observe her seated at the bay window, contemplating the setting sun, her lips moving in rhythms of the rosary. Shadows lengthen, inviting rest. A mourning dove splashes contentedly in the bird bath before heading to its nighttime perch, while a solitary cardinal munches on its last meal for the day.
Here and there, the wild strawberries are blossoming and beginning to fruit. The red currant and gooseberry bushes are promising, too, and cucumber seedlings have begun to wend their way among the shrubs. It is time for me to move on again – but not without memories that continue to be a loving caress of God.
1 Francis, Laudato si’ (Vatican Press, 2015) sec. 84, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html . May 24, 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home.
Claudia Stecker is a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). She was missioned to the Philippines in 1997 and worked as an educator, first, in Cotabato, at Notre Dame University, and, later, in Manila, at Asian Social Institute. Her subject areas included pastoral sociology, leadership, music and education. Claudia was also employed by Kuya Center for Street Children where she took part in establishing a microfinance initiative among urban poor families. Over the years, Claudia served the congregation, too, in leadership, formation and finance management, returning to Canada in 2021. From 2023, she has been missioned to New York, USA, where she serves as a host community member in a LifeWay Network safehouse for women survivors of human trafficking.
Wow, what a beautiful garden!! Woodpeckers and peonies are definitely my idea of heaven!
What an exquisite description of your Mother’s garden!
Having visited this garden myself, when I was living in Toronto, I would say that Helga’s backyard is known not only “throughout the neighbourhood as an oasis of sensual delights”, but by all who have the joy of entering – from various parts of Canada, and from various parts of the world.
To have once entered Helga’s garden, is to forever carry the memory. Thank you for re-awakening that memory of the garden you call home..
“Visiting” your Mom’s garden via your reflections has been delightful! Thank you to your Mom for creating this sacred space, and to you for sharing it with us.
Lovely garden.. I love to see squirrels. Thank you Claudia for sharing your meaningful reflection
Claudia, this is such a beautiful meditation on your mother’s garden! Bless her for “having poured herself into this precious piece of earth for nearly sixty years.” I can imagine that this beautiful garden that she has co-created with God has poured itself into her too. Bless you for appreciating and sharing it with us! Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing your sacred home garden with us, Claudia. Reading your reflection felt like stepping into that peaceful space myself. I could almost see the squirrels darting about, the peonies swaying in their gentle dance, and hear the tranquil, life-filled sounds of the morning.
Your words brought such vivid beauty to life. It is heartening to know that there is a part of Mother Earth receives such tender care and love.
Thank you for your sharing. It was truly a delight to read and feel connected to the sacredness you hold in that space.