It was planting day. As soon as the trucks arrived filled with the miniature junipers, spiraeas, pine, spruce and miniature Japanese red maples trees, they were whisked away to the locations Ed had designated around the ponds and the waterfall.

In all 60 plants and five trees were planted and later five roses will be planted in honor of the special women in our lives: Jane R.Mussari, Nancy Beck-Loftus, Elena Mussari-Fugate, Julia Fugate and Emma Strenkert.

Three wonderful young men named Jason, Ed and Mark carefully placed and planted the new trees and plants.

While this was happening, Ed and Todd decided where the 30 Stella D’Oro lilies would adorn both sides of the path that formed the entrance to this very special section of Windsor Park.

Then the rich brown mulch was spread like a blanket over every exposed square foot of earth.

When finished it looked elegant, serene, and oh, so peaceful.

Shortly after 5 p.m., the fish arrived in two big barrels. A gift from their caretaker at Hall’s Nursery, the goldfish and koi were thoughtfully placed in the ponds and after a period of adjustment, they were released in the waters of their new home.

The last touches to the new Garden of Life in Windsor Park were in place. The water feature was ready for its first visitors.

Earlier in the day, Vicki Austin who directs the Women with Children Program at College Misericordia came across an article about Windsor Park that was written by Gina Thackera and published in the Citizens’ Voice. Gina’s article spoke to the essence of Windsor Park. It is a metaphor for life, she wrote, and it is a statement about resilience.

On both counts Gina was absolutely correct.

This article and the pictures Debbie Higgins took to illustrate the various sections of the park fascinated Vicki Austin’s children, Bobby, age 7, and Hope, age 4. They wanted to see it, and their mother called in their behalf.

On Saturday, May 5, at 9 a.m., a miniature princess dressed in a pink gown and an aspiring athlete sprang from the car that was parked in our driveway.

Our introductions took but a few moments and then we were off to the Angel Garden and the story of the Heroes of Flight 93.

It was sheer joy to look into their faces as they viewed the Memorial Water Garden. They were fascinated by the Angels of Freedom and the pond filled with koi of all shapes and sizes.

With a bounce in their step, Bobby and Hope made their way to The Garden of Life. Under their mother’s watchful eye, they walked along the newly installed red stone path to the lower pond where they spotted the enormous gold fish that now lives in the water of this 18 by 20 foot pond.

“Look Mommy,”Hope yelled with delight. “Look how big it is.”

The enormous 12-year-old gold fish obliged the visitors by swimming close to the shore. It was a Disney moment.

Their eyes were as big as saucers when they explored the upper part of the water feature which houses more fish and then becomes a cascading waterfall into the lower pond.

The children were having a wonderful time.

It was more fun for Tony and me because it was refreshing to see it through their eyes and watch their concentration. Four-year-old Hope was especially enchanted with the scene and she looked like the princess she wanted to be as she stood with her brother at the highest point of the water feature.

We then took a walk through Windsor Park to acquaint the children with the other gardens and the pergola. Standing in the pergola we told them it would be a great place to have a picnic when school was out. That appealed to Bobby, and Hope volunteered that she had a princess water bottle that would be perfect for the occasion.

When we climbed the winding stairs to the top of the park, we stopped to show the children where the new micro-garden would be.

After that Bobby and Hope made their way through the trellis and up the hill to the Hydrangea Garden and into the greenhouse for some cool refreshments. They welcomed their soda and sorbet and they agreed that a tea party in the greenhouse would be great idea. Well, Hope agreed. Bobby being all boy wasn’t all that enthusiastic. As his mother said, “he gets tired of having to be the charming prince” for his sister’s princess activities.

It was the ideal way to christen the Garden of Life…with two children who are just starting out on the path of life and who could completely enjoy the water and fish and flowers. They said very little on their tour but were all smiles as we invited them back and told them about the Irish Teachers Festival in July.

It was the best part of the day…we made new friends and renewed our acquaintance with their mom who does very special work with women who are trying to make a better life for their children by getting an education and a better chance for a good job to support them.

We all waved good-bye, but we knew it wouldn’t be for long.

(For additional information about The Women with Children Program please go to www.misericordia.edu)

Please send feedback to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it