<h1>De-Stress in a MOM's Garden</h1>

Did you know gardening is a great stress reliever? You get an aromatherapy treatment from the fragrance of the flowers and you stretch and work out your body by planting and pulling out weeds. As well, pastel colors, like pink tulips and yellow daffodils, are known to have a calming effect on your emotions, so it's no wonder your mom loves to garden! And who knows - you may end up liking it so much that you garden with her even after Mother's Day!

Gardening requires you to use your head and your creativity. The time spent planning the garden and researching different plants is a great brain workout. Gardening gives us a chance to be creative. You can let your personality shine through in your garden.

Gardening connects you with people. It's like walking down the street with a new puppy. Everybody talks to a gardener. It's also a great activity to do with kids. Give them a section of the garden all their own. Some of the best lessons can be learned in the garden such as delayed gratification and don't leave a rake on the ground with the head pointing upwards.

• Gardening provides fresh fruits and vegetables and the encouragement to eat them.
• Gardening provides the regular physical exercise listed in the prevention of heart disease, obesity, adult-onset diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Gardening can be especially beneficial for people with special needs or those recovering from illness. Gardening promotes an increased range of motion, develops eye-hand coordination, improves motor skills and increases self esteem. 
• Gardening connects you with mother's nature and the rhythm of life. 

Happy Mother's Day!

My mother has a garden that she waters every day.

Sometimes she picks the flowers and makes a bright bouquet.

She says the flowers remind her of things that children do—

So come into the garden, and I’ll explain to you.

She says I’m like a daisy,

a golden ray of sun,

Or like a happy marigold,

always full of fun.

Here’s a lacy lilac;

it scatters sweet perfume.

And here’s a yellow daffodil

to brighten up a room.

I’m like a carefree dandelion

growing wild and free.

And I am like a hollyhock,

as tall as I can be.

Here’s a strong snapdragon,

as big and brave as Dad.

And here’s a small, sweet violet

trying to be glad.

I’m like a quiet crocus

with promise for the spring.

I’m a purple pansy

that makes you want to sing.

If I am like a flower, then surely you must know

That mother is the gardener, for she helps me to grow!

She cultivates and nurtures and enriches patiently.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for creating her for me.

Pat Graham and Joan Ashton, “Sharing Time: Mother Is a Gardener,” Friend, May 1985, 32

D&C 59: 17