The purpose of life
The older I get, the more often I think about my legacy to be left behind when I am gone.In Russia we say man's life complete: when he built a house, had a son, and planted a tree. Nothing about women though
So here I am:
I created a garden 2,5 acres, with dry rock walls, a rock walled pond, collection of Hybrid Lilacs (Russian, Belorussian, Polish, French, German and one American Father Fiala Lilacs) When 84 of them bloom in Spring I cannot take my eyes off them, I smile. The happiest time! I don't think anyone will have a nerve to take them down. A vegetable and herb garden with 8x8 greenhouse (which I built myself),collection of paeonies, David Austin roses and other stuff.
I planted A real Russian birch (Betula pendula) which seedling I found growing by the steps of my house in Russia. It is not native to North America. Pity! Beauty! A powerful medicinal tree. My pride and joy!
What else: three children and one grand daughter
That's it, not much but I've done what I could.
I don't want people who will come after, to remember me. I just wanted to make Planet look prettier and keep my family line live.
Maybe someone will share their thoughts on leaving a legacy behind
Otherwise just ignore me I was talking to myself .. as usually
Comments (29)
Reading what you've done makes me all too aware of my own worthless existence.
I can almost smell the lilac
Maybe you could post a picture of your garden?
Thank you Pedro! And I will, in a near future.
What about your thoughts on legacy?
Thank you Harb! I don't understand why but your opinion is important to me
Reading what you've done makes me all too aware of my own worthless existence. sigh
Maybe it is time to plant a tree
There is only one key to remember : The faster tree grows the less its lifespan time.
If I could to make a suggestion I would choose or, an apple tree ( some of them can live for more than 200 years, and with rejuvenation for two hundred years more )
or Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata" they can live up to 300 years.
But it would be your choice.
I can almost smell the lilac smitten
Maybe you could post a picture of your garden?
Thank you Dan, to hear it from you, comes as a reward
When I'll post pictures You will not just feel the fragrance, perfume, you will see the beauty and uniqueness of shape of petals an truces and different colours
I've posted some of mine in the past...with my lemon trees...and my star jasmine.
I'll see if I can find them again...
This is the jasmine.
But there are no flowers now
Maybe it is time to plant a tree
There is only one key to remember : The faster tree grows the less its lifespan time.
If I could to make a suggestion I would choose or, an apple tree ( some of them can live for more than 200 years, and with rejuvenation for two hundred years more )
or Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata" they can live up to 300 years.
But it would be your choice.
I have nowhere to plant trees now, wich is a shame because I do love trees.
Here's a little gem.
I've posted some of mine in the past...with my lemon trees...and my star jasmine.
I'll see if I can find them again...
I just called my daughter and she will upload pictures on Saturday, when she and my son will come to visit me. I am not a photographer I am a gardener, she is a professional one.
It would be nice to see a garden of a totally different climatic zone.
I heard about how fragrant jasmine is. But unfortunately it will die in a winter time here. But I do have Mock oranges and they are extremely fragrant.
I have nowhere to plant trees now, which is a shame because I do love trees.
their size was worrying my neighbour
At least you tried - it counts
Maybe you just don't know
Here's a little gem. wine
That's what I call a cartoon.. a real piece of art. Thank you!
other wise wouldn't pro-creating children be a good legacy. I don't have any children so Posterity escapes me.
Just realise who you are
David Austin roses are the best.
In Buckingham Royal Park grows lilac "Galina Ulanova" bred by Russian breeder Leonid Kolesnikov.
Galina Ulanova Russian ballet dancer. Prince Philipp was a big fan of the greatest ballet dancer of 20 century.
Maybe that's why a lilac named "Galina Ulanova" was planted in Royal Park
Kew Gardens have in their collection Lilac "Komsomolka" bred by L. Kolesnikov
Just for information ( I have them in my collection, as well)
other wise wouldn't pro-creating children be a good legacy. I don't have any children so Posterity escapes me."
33 years, that's a lot.
Yes! I would consider it to be legacy. Planet is as long as it has air. Thank you for your work!
"Hi fantaziyawave
Just realise who you are hug Welcome back
David Austin roses are the best.
Yes, it's me, yeah, long time.
But I feel like I never left ... everything is same
Slowly but surely .. I starting to recognize, comrades from the past. A lot of nicknames were changed.
But you cannot change attitudes and sense of humour.
As for Austin roses : Viva la Great Britain! Hands down!
That is funny I should read this. Yesterday I decided I wanted to make a garden. Not so much thinking about leaving a legacy, but to appreciate the fruits of my labour. My yard is quite tropical so I am going to start by reading up on what kind of flowers I can grow here. When I think about my legacy I leave behind it would be how I have lived my life. My children and grand children have watched me through some of my most trying times to some of my greatest times. And I know they are proud of how I have dealt with it all. They have told me and so have their friends. That is actually the legacy my mother left behind. Teaching us through her behavior how to live life through the good and bad. And to do it graciously. I have been thinking a lot here lately on my life and I must say I am satisfied with that. wave
A story of life written in a few words. Talent!
In my opinion you've done everything to leave a print on Earth.
As for a garden .. I will gladly help you with advices if you will need them.
It is never late ... where is a will there is a way.
I am not much into religion. But I do believe why God forbit to cross the line of 7 sins. In my understanding it was done to keep balance and reproductivity of human kind. Logic and Balance as you said.
I don't care who or what I gonna be after re-birth( if such exist) To me pourpose of life is, to leave positive print on a Planet, Do something which will stay as long as possible, so people after me, will enjoy it.
Some people can't have children but they still can built a house and plant a tree.
Every time I walk by 200,300 years old buldings I cannot take my eyes off, thinking about people who built it. In a north of Russia some 400 years old houses are still intact by decay (built without a single nail). Moscow Kremlin is 536 years old .
And the oldest Botanical Gardens!!!
I have been in a Karl Linnaeus Botanical Garden in Stockholm and in many others in different countries.
All I can tell you, I walked a garden path, thanking those who planted them.
The feeling when you walk Garden walks and Streets with Old houses are more than religion.
And btw, I am sorry but it is first and last post of mine about religion. Because as my grandmother told me:" if you do not want to make enemies, do not talk about politics and religion" She taught me well
Buddhism is not a religion its a philosophy and I actually attempted to explain why.
I to have gardened a lot, last time I was able to I established over 250 sub tropical fruit-trees using organic principles, whatever I think your welcome to choose whats right for you.
I'm criticizing your view rather expressed my own.
And since I finally surrendered and bought a cell phone I can take a picture myself. And a rock walls and
a pond and other stuff. This garden is my life.
I hope it will work
The site works fine 160 images
you might enjoy some of my flowers Ziya
Many years later I bought a lovely little house with a small Japanese maple, wonderful to see in autumn.
And yet 30 years later Clive James wrote a poem that stirs the heart.
Just like our world itself it was a happening to what was in the universe. Luck thats what it was just luck
You are a lucky seed that found a nest and hatched , now the purpose is your purpose what you feel about life and memories you would like to leave.
JMO of course.
Your garden sounds super though