. . . love me some Hatcher Garden!

(Edgeworthia chrysantha)

by Dan Shook

A young mother looked at me over her shoulder and said the following statement that began a process of reflection: “I don’t know why my children love Hatcher Garden; they just do.” In the days following that encounter, I watched the garden and the visitors to see what I might learn. I saw three young boys tossing pinecones in the waterfall creek as a mom sat on the bench reading and twins who could not wait to get to the gazebo to watch the birds. I listened as the sounds of water, laughter, and bird chatter filled the air. The aroma of edgeworthia was a reminder of the season. I spent time with a woman who lost a loved one and wanted to set a brick in their memory. What is it about this garden in a small town that brings so many?

As stated by Robert Pyle, author of The Thunder Tree, “If given the license to follow, children want to confront the world on their own terms.” Don’t we all? I can’t answer the question why for anyone else, but I can for myself, and well . . . I love me some Hatcher Garden!