Relationships
Violet’s Garden
A moving story about unconditional love
Toby put the water rose down and took a deep breath as he celebrated the end of his simple task. Violet’s marigolds didn’t need that much water after all or they would turn mushy and brownish the next day.
For the past twenty-five years, Toby had been watering his neighbor’s garden without expecting anything in return. He would also tease Violet about her name.
“How come you are named after a flower and there is no violet here?”
Violet would always giggle and thank her sweet old neighbor. She had always tried to offer Toby some money for his time, which he refused to accept.
“Let me get you some baked goods then,” she would fight back. He would say “No need, Violet. Gotta watch my sugar levels.” But, Violet would always leave them in front of Toby’s door anyway when he wasn’t looking.
Toby was just a grumpy and stubborn 80-year-old man with a gentle heart. An Air Force veteran and widower with only one son, who lived abroad, he was used to being alone. He had his friends from church — the same church where he’d met Violet — and that seemed to be enough interaction for him.
The ladies from church knew about his affection for Violet, which was reflected in how well he treated her garden. Violet’s abusive husband had passed a few years ago and that was enough to get the ladies talking.
Will Toby finally make a move? Will he tell her how he feels about her? Or will he just keep watering her garden forever?
But, Toby didn’t care about the ladies from church and their romantic musings. He knew they were bored to their bones, to the point of trying to matchmake an 80-year-old man with his neighbor. So whenever they tried to come up with meetings where both neighbors could meet somewhere other than their garden, Toby would soon shut them down.
“Mind your own business!” he would shout to himself, but secretly wanting to send the message to the ladies from church.
Toby knew Violet’s heart and they had to respect it — everyone had to respect that. He’d seen Violet’s devotion to the man who never truly loved her. He’d seen how well she’d raised their kids, and how much forgiveness and compassion she had in her pure heart.
Toby knew people told Violet she should give life another chance and maybe find someone to spend the rest of her brief life with. But, Violet still loved the father of her children. She still believed she had to be committed to him in the eyes of God. And Toby fully respected that. So, why couldn’t they?
Toby loved Violet regardless of how she felt. She was a sweet, old friend to him, and he was happy and lucky to have her friendship.
One of Toby’s old friends’ daughter, Melissa, a thirty-year-old full of life and passion once asked him, “What is it like to love someone who won’t love you back?” Her eyes were eager for the answer to her question. Toby noticed her curious, genuine feelings about unrequited love.
“Well, Melissa, it’s like everything else in life. Everything you want to have, but can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“You told me you like chocolate and that it’s your favorite food. But you don’t eat it because you don’t want to put on weight.”
Melissa giggled. “That’s true, but I still get to eat it from time to time.”
“Well, I also get to experience what I want. But on a different level.”
Toby eyed his neighbor’s window. His eyes reflected his own feelings.
“I get to experience the most beautiful thing about love. I give it. I give her love by caring for her garden.”
“But what is she giving you back, Toby?”
“She may not be giving me anything other than a smile or a “thank you” note, dear. But have you seen her garden? Her flowers are blooming. When her flowers bloom, she smiles. And that’s enough for me.”
Melissa’s eyes welled up. Toby finally made her understand that love is meant to be appreciated and freely given. It’s meant to be felt in ways other than just taking.
