Through the Garden Gate

Text and Drawing by Leslie Watkins

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” –Hebrews 11:1

One may have the skills, expertise and resources to accomplish tasks, but without the drive fueled by hope it may not be possible to succeed. Hope reinforces our will and our determination to get jobs done, even when we may not see the way ahead clearly. Without hope, failures and setbacks can cause one to quit. People without hope, who don’t believe they can obtain their dreams, don’t try. Life can be tough, disappointing, sometimes heartbreaking and utterly unbearable. When we hit the wall, what turns things around? The answer may be different for each of us, but, as in Pandora’s box, there’s always hope to help us meet the challenges.

In the Greek mythology, Pandora is the first woman. Prometheus, the creator of mankind, enraged Zeus by stealing fire from the gods to give to humans for protection, despite being forbidden to do so. In punishment, Prometheus was tortured, but vengeful Zeus wanted to punish humans as well. He asked Hephaestus to create Pandora, who was gifted by the gods with the attributes of beauty, wisdom, kindness and curiosity. Zeus then sent her to Epimetheus, Prometheus’s brother. Zeus gave her a box (actually a pithos, or large jar) to take with her and warned her never to open it, knowing she would not be able to control her curiosity. He filled the box with every misery: hatred, pain, envy, disease, ignorance, greed, poverty, war, death—but also hope. When Pandora opened the box, all the evils escaped into the world, but hope was saved when she slammed the lid shut.

One of the best expressions of hope may be found in the actions of a gardener. With no guarantee of success, the gardener labors to clear the land, improve the soil and turn it under. After preparing the plot, the gardener sprinkles seeds, covers them over and adds water in hope of miracles to come.

Snowdrops are among the first signs of spring and remind us that winter’s end is drawing near. The genus Galanthus is native to Europe and the Middle East. Snowdrops emerge through frozen soil in February and March and are often found with their flowers poking up through snow. They symbolize hope, optimism and virtue, things we surely could use more of. The deer- and rodent-resistant bulbs are planted in the fall, about four inches deep. When winter days begin to lengthen and temperatures rise, the plants emerge, indicating that spring is coming.

Can’t wait for spring? Cut some forsythia branches and force them in warm water. Place them in a bright spot and you’ll have blooms within three weeks.

Early Spring

• Snowdrops emerge.
• Hellebores bloom.
• Witch hazels bloom.
• Skunk cabbage emerges.
• Willow buds swell.
• Winter birds begin singing.
• Red-winged blackbirds return.
• Maple sap flows.
• Fruit trees need trimming.
• Grapevines should be cut back.