As we head towards the end of April, I realise that I've been lucky enough to see spring on three continents - first in the US, then in in the UK and finally in India. So for once, I've chosen to write a personal post explaining why I travel so much! I suspect that most of my readers envy my lifestyle and wonder how I can move around the globe constantly; one or two of you have met me; and others have had long email correspondences with me; but few, if any of you, really know me.
This "exotic" lifestyle of mine must seem very strange to you all, but the reality is very different. I am married to a wonderful man who has not been well recently and one of the reasons we travel so much is that the English winters are impossible for him - the long, cold months of December and January make him a prisoner in our English home and since we are lucky enough to have a home in Florida too, we use that in the winter months. It is only now that the weather is warming up that we return home to Europe.
My decision to launch a charitable foundation in India is also linked to my husband's illness. We travelled together to Rajasthan some 18 months ago and my husband fell ill there - without the skill of my Indian medical partner, the ending to that story would have been very different, but as it happened, my husband was cured and we were able to return home. It was just three months after when I returned to India to set up The Raven Foundation.
My true passion for gardens came from the many months that I spent looking after my father last year at the end of his life. Sometimes when the weather was sunny, I was able to take him from the hospice in a wheelchair and show him the spring flowers in bloom and they brought a smile to his face.
But what I've learned in all of this is that flowers and gardens are a wonderful tonic - it doesn't matter how bad you are feeling .... seeing flowers in bloom and looking at garden vistas is a wonderful uplifting experience, whatever the true circumstances in your life. And that is why I love to share everything I see with all of you who read my blog!
We are just a year down the road and my husband is as passionate about gardens as I am; my Indian foundation is a reality and tomorrow is another day. So now it's time for me to thank all my readers for supporting me in all my travels, and indeed in the work I am doing for my foundation. My father is no longer here to enjoy the gardens with me, but I am sure that wherever he is now, he is surrounded by spring blooms too.
So if you are feeling down, just go and look at your garden, or visit a public space with flowers - it will change your day!! (And if you'd like to read the related blog entries, just click on the caption below the pictures).
I have to say when I read about your travels, I think how exhausting! I do enjoy reading all about the different places you visit. My garden has helped me through some bad times, not just the beauty and hope of the new flowers but the physical work. When life was at its lowest, I dug up part of the lawn! I love your attitude to life and your zest for living it. I hope you and your husband have a great summer and look forward to more of your lovely posts and pictures.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Sylvia
What a beautiful blog post! One of the things I have noticed whilst garden blogging, is that everyone seems to be talk about their partners in such a nice, loving way. Maybe gardening is uplifting for relationships as well? Makes you see the positive side of things.
ReplyDeleteI love the work you're doing, thank you for sharing that personal story with us. I'm glad we get to see all of the photos from your travels. And kudos to you for being such a wonderful wife and daughter!
My garden also is a haven of rest or whatever else I need. At present I feel especially blessed. Whatever your motivation, your blog is a blessing to all who read it. How lucky I am to know you. I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteDonna
What a lovely inspiring post - always wondered how and why you travelled so much. May the warmth and sunshine you seek help to heal your husband.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, Thanks for sharing these personal reflections. All this time, I just thought you must suffer from a hyperthyroid condition that gave you all that energy; reading your blog(s) always makes me feel like a bit of a lethargic slowpoke! I couldn't agree more about the healing power of gardens; the nursing home where my mother is now living has a number of different gardens, each with seating areas to encourage residents and their visitors to sit outside and enjoy. -Jean
ReplyDeleteThere's no question why you travel so much, and we're fortunate to travel with you through your posts. I so miss English Bluebells. I remember they used to pop up in our garden uninvited every spring, but they were my favorite flower as a child. I'm still blown away by the vivid color of those trees in the Nehru Garden too, as much as I was the first time I saw them. They're just stunning! I'm glad to read your husband is doing better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and interesting post Charlotte! I must admit that I have been curious the dynamics of your lifestyle, and now it all makes perfect sense. It really is wonderful to see the gardens from different parts of the world, thank you for sharing them with us. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE to travel, and wherever I go, I'm always seeking out great gardens to visit and snapping pictures of flowers. I really enjoy how you mesh travel + gardens on your blog, and the pics are always stunning!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte a lovely post and thank you for sharing it with us but especially thank you for all the lovely garden posts you do. If we can't actually get out in the garden the next best thing is to look at the many garden blogs.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and all your 'family.'
Thanks so much for sharing,and I was wondering , so I appreciate this much ! Gina
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I started gardening because I used to be sick and the garden is where I felt better. You expressed it well.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing your personal story. My very best wishes to you, your husband and the rest of your extended family.
ReplyDeletealoha charlotte,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this post and your personal stories and the motivation about your blogging and the gardens you visit...we are priviledge to share in your experience and see the gardens of the world through your eyes, mahalo
noel
I always enjoy seeing the beautiful gardens that you share. I can see why seeing them would've made your father and now your husband feel better. There really is something therapeutic about the garden and nature.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing more about yourself. I hope your husband is feeling well and you enjoy being back in Europe for Spring.
Charlotte: I actually thought travel is part of your job, and just though what kind job it is? Thanks for this post, the story about your father and your husband really touched my heart. Thanks for sharing all beautiful gardens all over the world with us, and best wish to you, your husband, and the foundation!
ReplyDeleteThose are some amazing pictures of some amazing places. I love visiting gardens in different places. I, personally, would love to travel all the time. All I need is a comfortable bed and place to shower and do laundry and I'm set :)
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, thank you for sharing a very touching life story, you are genuinely inspiring.
ReplyDeleteNature truly is a healer!
Charlotte, i would love to just echo all the beautiful comments above...
ReplyDeleteyap a touching post. you guessed right, i used to wonder that you travel alot. i was happy to see the plants from my indopak region.
ReplyDeleteAn inspiring story that makes us understand your travels a little better. We are the lucky ones who are influenced and moved by your photography and your words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that peek into your life, Charlotte.I'm so glad that your husband is fine now. Bless you for the great effort you're taking to bring help to the rural people of India. God knows they need it!
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated by your snapshots of spring in 3 continents ... so similar yet so different!