The garden is growth and change and that means loss as well as

Host: The room was quiet, the soft hum of the evening filling the space. The light from the lamp cast a warm, inviting glow across the table, where Jeeny sat, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, lost in thought. Jack, standing near the window, gazed out at the darkened world, his posture relaxed but his mind clearly absorbed in reflection. The evening felt peaceful, yet there was an unspoken understanding between them that a meaningful conversation was about to unfold.

Jeeny: (breaking the silence, her voice soft but reflective) “I came across something by May Sarton today that really made me think. She said, ‘The garden is growth and change and that means loss as well as constant new treasures to make up for a few disasters.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: (pauses, his voice thoughtful) “I think she’s really describing life, isn’t she? The garden—like life—is a balance of growth and change, and within that comes loss. But the beauty is that even in the face of loss, there’s always something new to discover, something that makes the difficult moments worth it. In gardening, like in life, you can’t avoid the disasters, but they are a part of the process that leads to new beginnings.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly) “Exactly. It’s not just about the success or the good moments—it’s about embracing everything that comes with it. The disasters, the setbacks, the moments when things don’t go the way we planned. But even in those moments, the treasures of growth and change are still there. We don’t always see them immediately, but over time, they become part of the bigger picture.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepened, as their words settled into something more meaningful. Jack turned slightly toward Jeeny, his expression softening as he considered the deeper meaning of the quote. Outside, the world had gone quiet, but inside, their conversation felt like a meditation on the complexities of life—its highs and lows, its joys and challenges.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, more reflective) “There’s a certain beauty in that, though, isn’t there? We often focus on the disasters, the failures, and forget that they’re part of the natural rhythm of life. Without loss, we wouldn’t appreciate the new treasures that come our way. Just like in a garden—you plant, you nurture, you watch it grow, but you also experience those moments when things don’t go right, when plants die or storms come. But that’s what makes the healthy growth even more precious.”

Jeeny: (softly) “Yes. And I think it also speaks to resilience. A garden doesn’t just flourish without effort. It has to go through seasons, through moments of challenge, to truly grow. The same is true for us. We have to embrace the change, the losses, and understand that they are part of the journey, part of the growth that happens when we persevere. The beauty comes from being able to accept both the good and the bad.”

Jack: (nodding slowly, his voice more assured) “Exactly. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t linear. There are setbacks, moments of struggle, but they don’t define the whole picture. They’re just part of the process, and the new treasures that come after can make it all worth it. It’s about trusting the cycle of life, knowing that even in difficult times, there’s always something new waiting to bloom.”

Jeeny: (smiling gently) “Yes, and I think that’s where the true beauty of life lies—in the balance. In accepting the losses as part of the journey, and finding joy in the treasures that grow from them. It’s not about avoiding failure or pain, but about embracing the entire process, knowing that growth is always happening.”

Host: The quiet in the room felt more profound now, a sense of shared understanding between them. The world outside had become still, but inside, there was a quiet realization about the nature of life and growth. Jeeny and Jack had uncovered a deeper truth—that loss is a natural part of growth, and that new treasures often arise from the most difficult moments. Like a garden, life requires patience, resilience, and the ability to embrace both the good and the bad in order to truly appreciate the beauty of the journey.

Jack: (smiling softly) “I think it’s about trusting that even after the hardest moments, there’s always something new to discover, something new to appreciate.”

Jeeny: (nodding warmly) “Yes, and that’s the beauty of life. It’s a constant cycle of growth, loss, and renewal. And in that, there’s always something worth cherishing.”

Host: The room had settled into a peaceful stillness, a shared understanding about the inevitable cycles of life, growth, and loss. Jeeny and Jack had found meaning in Sarton’s words, discovering that life, much like a garden, requires both patience and resilience. Even in the face of setbacks, there is always something new waiting to bloom, something worth cherishing and embracing along the way. The world outside continued to slumber, but inside, the room felt full of quiet wisdom.