The fountain is new to my garden. It is a symbol that tells me each time I see it or hear it, that I am alive, and that I am a survivor. In 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After the initial shock, I thought about the things I have yet to accomplish. The list was long, of course, but there was one item I knew would bring me solace. So, that was how the fountain came to live in my garden. Every time I see it, I smile. Every time I hear it, I smile. I was the gardener who prepared the area where the fountain sits. Winter’s frost had damaged shrubs and flowers alike. So, similar to my own cancer surgery, I cut away the “sick” areas. The trees were trimmed to allow the sun to radiate through. Similar to my own radiation therapy, the garden was slowly being healed. I hope in time, the shrub behind the fountain will grow and encompass it. I can wait, for I have already learned I have both hope and time.
