Did you ever have a day when the weather was just perfect… when everything fell into place …when everyone you met had a smile on their face and a kind word?

Did you ever have a day that you never wanted to end?

For Kitch and me, June 30, 2007, was that kind of day. A day we never expected to happen, a day that almost didn’t happen, a day that we will long remember, a day that left us exhausted, but smiling from ear to ear.

On this unimaginable day, the Back Mountain Bloomers and some of their friends from the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association, took over Windsor Park.

It began at about 9:00 a.m. and when it ended seven hours later, more than 400 people had visited every section of our garden.

They came in cars that were big and small. Some wore the most wonderful hats, others had costumes you would find at Sak’s. Some of our visitors were infants others were young. Many were old. Whatever their circumstance, however, everyone was young at heart.

Some visitors started their tour in the Hydrangea garden. They visited the Greenhouse and after inspecting the plants and the mementoes, they took a peek at the family Von Trapp, a mother and her five kittens. As only kittens can, the Von Trapps obliged our visitors with a jump or a roll or a lunge toward the window.

Other visitors started their tour at the registration table. There welcoming and friendly volunteers collected the tickets, distributed handouts and directed them to walk to the third flag and make a left to enter a garden that was built in 1996.

As the visitors walked under the trellis, you could feel their sense of enthusiasm and you could hear their expressions of surprise when they found themselves in the middle of a natural enclave of Daisies and Nepeta covered with a canopy of Catalpa and Callery Pear Trees. Down the winding staircase to the rose garden and the pergola many of them disappeared into the lowest level of the garden, a place of peace, quiet and total shade.

Along their way the visitors met volunteers, many of them Bloomers or relatives of Bloomers like Janet Schwab-Kopec who came to Windsor Park to help.

Janet was 19 years old when first we met, and although almost twice that number of years has passed, her smile is as infectious as ever.

Kitch and I were more than impressed by the discipline, thoughtfulness, respect and generosity of spirit we witnessed on this day of days.

All these people and not one morsel of litter could be found anywhere in the garden. Large numbers of people visited all seven gardens in Windsor Park and nothing was out of place.

People took pictures and wrote notes about what they saw, and they were more than willing to offer their assessments. Everyone we heard was  positive.

As with any event there were some very special moments. Early in the day we were reconnected with a teacher from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District who we had not seen since 1979. We had a wonderful conversation, and we will see one another again. In the afternoon this scene repeated itself with two other people we had known from those years.

Shortly after midday a former student from King’s College Ann Zaffuto visited. Accompanied by her daughter, a successful lawyer and her beautiful seven-month old grandson, Ann was as friendly and joyful as ever. Carrying a Sicilian pizza her mother baked for us, our grand reunion began with these words: “My Mother baked this especially for you. She told me to tell you it will help to heal your heart.” Ann Zaffuto is one of our very favorite

people. Her graduation and subsequent success is a treasured memory from my teaching career.

One hour later, we met Lisa Lindquist’s mother and sister. What an enjoyable experience. Lisa was one of our former students. She has a heart of gold and she has been very kind to us. Prior to our surgery, Lisa shared the story of her husband’s heart operation and some tips about recovery. They were very helpful.

After we came home from the hospital, she sent us several notes of friendship and encouragement. Her messages were always positive

Lisa is a member of the Back Mountain Bloomers Garden Club, and we had a marvelous reunion during the Bloomers visit here on Friday. She shared several of the pictures she took that evening. If there is any one person who perfectly reflects the heart and soul of a gardener, it is Lisa Linquist

There were several emotional moments as well. Like certain elements in our garden they stand out and give us inspiration and hope.

A tall woman found us sitting under the Catalpa tree. She took the occasion to share her thoughts about her visit. With tears in her eyes she told us that the Angel Garden touched her heart. "It was so wonderful that you did that. These are the heroes of our time and you are remembering them for all of us. I can’t tell you how moved I was when I visited that garden."

For us the highlight of the day took place sometime after 2 p.m. We met a woman as she was just entering the garden. We had a pleasant conversation about gardening, teaching and the Anthracite trail. Then she moved on to walk through Windsor Park.

When she finished her tour, she made her way toward us. The expression on her face was both joyful and sad. Her eyes pierced my heart when she told this story.

My mother gave me a large statue of St Francis. It was her last gift to me shortly before her death. After walking through this garden, and experiencing the atmosphere, I believe it belongs here. It is so peaceful and serene here. I would like you to place it somewhere in your garden. Would that be possible?

Quite frankly, I was speechless.

In the 11 year history of Windsor Park, we have never had a more beautiful moment. As our eyes touched our souls, I thought to myself every inconvenience, every problem, every challenge was worth this moment.

Unexpected, unplanned, unimaginable, it put everything into perspective.

In the days ahead we will meet to find an appropriate place for St. Francis in Windsor Park.

Susan Edison once wrote: “

Gardeners generally want to share knowledge and hear your comments, so don't be shy about starting a conversation. Like artists, most gardeners want to know how their creation communicates with the viewer. See if you can discover the spirit and vision behind the garden and reflect on what is moved within you. ”

On a priceless day in June, Windsor Park was taken over by the Back Mountain Bloomers Club, a group of the finest people we have ever met. Under the watchful eye of Louise Mattas, and with the help of Iran Fahmy and Linda Riggins,and several other volunteers, they were here to conduct a garden tour. Hundreds of people answered their call to come and see Windsor Park and five other gardens.

It was a magical day, an emotional day, a spiritual day…a day of community, discovery, and affirmation. On this day the people who came helped us to appreciate and refine the spirit of Windsor Park.

More important for us, however, here in our little corner of the world beyond the noise of celebrity clatter, and the busyness of media attention, we saw what moved people and those miraculous moments when soil and spirit met. It gave us a perfect day…a day we never wanted to end…a day that will never end in our memories…a day that will inspire us for many years to come.

In a garden, you can find your soul, heal your heart and experience things that are practically perfect in every way.

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