Monday, January 2, 2012Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2007. Mattie and I were standing in the boxwood gardens of the US National Arboretum. We tried to visit the Arboretum each April, around the time of Mattie's birthday. Because it was during that time of year that thousands of azaleas are in bloom. It is a breathtaking and memorable sight! However, the boxwood garden, which is right near the azaleas, is quite impressive as well. I decided to post this picture tonight, because this afternoon Peter and I went to the Arboretum, and I stood in this boxwood garden. However unlike in this picture, I was standing in the garden alone. Today's picture (posted below) seems quite symbolic of our life now without Mattie.
Quote of the day: Make no judgements where you have no compassion. ~ Anne McCaffrey
I pause tonight and reflect on this quote. My wish for all of us this year is the gift of compassion. May we be the recipients of it and may we also bestow it upon others. Compassion is a beautiful and yet challenging word. Because to develop, feel, and use compassion in one's decision making process is hard work. Yet, when you look through the lens of compassion, I have found that it changes my viewpoint and I find that I am far less judgmental with others.
After my experience of walking on Roosevelt Island yesterday, I realized I did not want to return there today. The holiday season has caused the Island to be heavily trafficked and neither Peter nor I enjoy visiting and experiencing the Island this way. So I suggested that we take a drive to the US National Arboretum instead. I must admit I have only visited the Arboretum in the spring and summer before, so I had no idea what winter was going to hold for us. But one thing I was certain of..... that there would be NO crowds.
We had a beautiful 3 mile walk today at the Arboretum and our walk brought back many memories of Mattie. We took him to the Arboretum on numerous occasions. The beauty of the Arboretum is that it is a spectacular wide open space, filled with gardens, trails, and plenty of things to see. It was perfect for Mattie!
In the huge wide open meadow of the Arboretum you are struck by the vision of 22 Corinthian columns. These sandstone columns were among 24 that were part of the east central portico of the United States Capitol. Architect Charles Bullfinch oversaw construction of the portico using a design handed down by his predecessors. Completed in 1826, these columns provided the backdrop for presidential inaugurations from 1829 (Andrew Jackson) to 1957 (Dwight Eisenhower), and were the site of many speeches, protests, and rallies. In 1958, the columns were dismantled to make way for the east front extension of the Capitol, which is adorned with marble reproductions. In 1990, these columns were restored and placed in their new home on the grounds of the US National Arboretum. 
Behind me you can see the columns in the distance. We walked to the columns and then meandered through this lovely Ellipse Meadow to the other side. On this side you find a capital, or top portion, of one of the columns. You can see the incredible detail that the stone carver incorporated into the design of these columns. Specifically you can see the acanthus leaves which comprise the design on the top portion of the columns.
This is one of the trails of the azalea walk. This is a walk we did with Mattie each spring! In fact, while walking I could picture him on this trail with us. Admirers come to the U.S. National Arboretum’s Azalea Collection every spring to witness one of Washington’s premier spring attractions. Thousands of azaleas cover the flanks of Mount Hamilton in a blaze of color. The first warm days bring out the flowers, and the slopes take on a surreal, almost luminescent glow.
Above you saw the boxwood garden picture I posted from 2007. The garden looks quite different in the winter, but it is still vibrant. What I LOVE about boxwood is that it emits a peachy fragrance. It was a special treat in the midst of winter to smell something so sweet! The smell hit me as soon as I walked into the garden today and despite being surrounded by this springy peach smell, it started to snow! A reminder that it is indeed winter. To me this picture is a striking comparison to the one above. It captures a sense of isolation and bleakness that just wasn't present in the 2007 version. The U.S. National Arboretum’s National Boxwood Collection is one of the most complete collections of boxwood in the world. There are around 150 different species planted in this corner of the Arboretum. Some have blue-green leaves, others have leaves variegated with splashes of cream or yellow. Some are dwarf and mature at a height of less than two feet. One variety, ‘Graham Blandy,’ grows upward in a narrow column like an exclamation point in the garden. The National Boxwood Collection is enchanting in any season, but winter is a special time when the bold green foliage defies the bleakest days.
We walked the entire azalea trail (as we did many times with Mattie), and when we got to the top, we could see the US Capitol through the trees!
Toward the end of our walk, I noticed these trees in the distance. They caught my attention! Why? Well I hate to admit it, but because the bark was the color of CHOCOLATE! To me they looked like chocolate trees! I snapped a picture of Peter with the trees and then came home and googled the scientific name of this tree. It turns out this is a Japanese Crape Myrtle. The trunk of this tree was SOLID, in fact it felt like you were knocking on metal rather than wood. 
The Arboretum has a special outdoor exhibit entitled, Power Plants. The exhibit is featuring plants that can be used as alternative fuels (such as soybeans, corn, etc.). 
One of the "power plants" featured was the sugar beet! Already an important sugar crop in 11 States, a sugar beet's stored sweetness could be fermented for ethanol. Which is why it is considered a cost effective fuel alternative.It is hard to believe that Christmas and New Year's are now behind us. For me, time passed but I can't say it felt like a holiday at all. Peter returns to work tomorrow, which is always an adjustment for both of us. Especially since we have spent the past two weeks together. When we are together we both understand the sadness we live with. As we live our separate lives during the work week, we land up of course not having the camaraderie or the support we need on some emotionally difficult days. Nonetheless, ready or not, we must face 2012.
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