The garden

The garden looks bare and forelorn,not just the time of year,it's lost it's sparkle.
I have so many memories of you growing up,since we moved here when you were 3 yrs old.

You used to play on the swing and slide,push your dolls up the garden path in the pram,bounce forever on the trampoline.How many paddling pools did you and your brother wear out? You used to make a den around them so that the old man next door couldn't see you in your swimming costume.

But of course there were some special friends out there too,
Spotty,Mrs Hoppy,Furyboo,Splodge,Sixpence,Flopsy,Flip-flop,Silky,Smokie and not forgetting George the Tortoise.
The rabbits were so special to you,you loved them with all your heart,seeing to their every need.You even used to walk them around the garden with collar and leads,just like little puppies.
Flip-flop terrified everyone except you,she used to attack anyone who went in the garden,but with you she would be as calm as anything.

There are a few things that upset me about the garden now,the Oak trees neglected in their pots,the Korean fir,of all the years to finally produce purple fir cones it has to be when you have gone.
But most of all the trampoline,it now sits silently,no more squeaking springs,no more giggly teenage girls,no more chat about boys,make-up,Harry Potter and such like.

The garden grew with you and matured, just as you matured into a beautiful young woman,
but the garden wasn't ready to say goodbye,like your family and friends it misses you and needs you back.