ReadersDigestAustraliaNewZealand-March2018

8 | March• 2018

BY WENDY

CHIAPPARO

FROMCOUNTRY

WOMAN

Many

Hands Make

Light Work

Escapingthemayhemisas

close as your own backyard

MY GARDEN IS MY REFUGE;Ifindreflectivesolitude

init.Ihavesevenchildren,soourhouseisasceneof

lively chaos. I spend my days cajoling, encouraging

andattemptingtokeepmayhematbay.Sometimes

Isucceed.OthertimesIfail.Butmygardenalways

helps me relax and recharge.

It’s a rejuvenating place. Early morning sunlight

glistens on dewdrops that dangle from a spider’s web

inatomatoplantinmygarden.Thesquashliftsits

yellow trumpets to celebrate the morning, and busy

beesworkdeepintheirrecesses.HereandthereI

spotawatermelonabovethevines.Foralongtime,

Iguardedthisplaceofpeaceandquiet.Whenthe

children followed me into the garden, I would hand

out chores.

MY STORY

PHOTO: iSTOCK