He and his Beloved Plants

Daddy said: "to be happy, be like a flower which attracts butterflies, bees, lady birds and gentle people."
"A flower doesn't have to rush about in order to make friends. It remains quietly where it has grown and sweetens the air with its fragrance. "
"God gave this power to flowers and Gentle people."- Ruskin Bond, To Live in Magic

Nature has played a very crucial role in my growing up. A lot of my most fond memories are around nature, plants and flowers. I have been brought up in a family where gardening is practiced as one serious hobby. I have seen my father spending his daily leisure time with his plants. His daily ritual would include examining each of his babies after the morning cuppa and instructing Sonu bhaiya meanwhile to replace them as needed. He knew of everyone's need, ours and also his much loved plants. 

Every season i would witness new members in house. He would very excitedly talk about his nursery visit each time. The seasons changed and the garden grew prettier, with new flowers, new colors. The creepers and climbers grew to need more attention and care from him, and he devoted them all the time they needed. I remember him mentioning us alot of names, of those I only remember the ones I really liked, but he was not partial, he loved them all. Showing and laughing over the plant called 'Mother-in-law's tongue' was so typical of him. He is the reason i love Ferns today, he made me love bougainvillea, he taught me the art of watering the plants without splashing back the mud all over the area or out side the pot. He taught us to pick fruits and the right art to wash and eat them, specially the Mangoes(We are a huge fan of 'Dussehri aam'). He made me like the smell of Eucalyptus, the green-ness of the grass, the dry leaves falling off guava tree. I remember getting pictures clicked in Marigold winters. The names like Salvia, Petunia, Cineraria, Panzy and Dahlia are some i have always remembered as they were regular from October to March every year. He taught me little things like that succulents and cactus needed less maintenance. He would go very botanical some days with the names and i would just stand and not understand a thing (mostly uninterested). I never wanted to learn so much, but he still managed to make some of it look so interesting that the roots of things got into my mind. 

We never missed yearly Botanical Garden Flower Show, it was a family ritual for us. We would eagerly wait for it. Even though it was his kind of fun place, it would make us happy just being their with him. Same time last year he won the best Garden award in the city. He was delighted. I still got the pictures of his hardwork in my phone he sent me over our whatsapp conversation. His phone would always have more pictures of 'blooms and buds' than faces :)

Over the years i have seen him having discussions about politics, office, life, health and plants in our garden. Chacha's arrival always made Papa happier, they always spent their best time in the company of these plants. Another one was sharing the same moment with Dadi. He loved bringing her new plants for her Garden. Somedays he picked flowers and bring some for the vases, (an art of making a basic flower bouquet i learnt from him at a very early age). Mother loved it when he got roses, the sweet fragrance made her happy. 

There are so many beautiful memories i have with these plants that i would never let go of these because that concern him, from making me love the taste of Tulsi leaf, to picking red and yellow capsicum.... from having Custard Apple at home to Kapaas (cotton) we have had it all. Walking on the road sometimes i can locate plants i know of, their names and now that i am old enough to understand, i want to learn and read more about them. So that i can keep up this legacy, I wish to give time and energy (just like he did) to his beloved plants because He is missed by them as well....