My brother Johnny’s birthday is August 9 th. He would be 72 years old but he died in the beginning of the Pandemic. He loved gardening so much and was very gifted with a green thumb. He grew the most beautiful dahlias, zinnias and marigolds that often bloomed near his birthday. There were many other flowers in his garden but these were his favorites. He said these flowers enhanced his garden and attracted the beneficial insects and loved the hot weather. Johnny always took good care of his garden as he did with our grandparents, parents, friends , neighbors and pets. He was an outstanding caregiver.

My brother knew how to make the gardening season last forever until winter came. In early August he would plant flower bulbs for the following spring. Everyone loved to visit Johnny’s gardens. I am very grateful that I have the many memories of all the joy gardening brought to Johnny and all others. Every time I visit a beautiful flower garden it is bittersweet. It reminds me of how lucky I was to have such a wonderful brother for 66 years and yet how sad I still am that Covid stole him like a thief in the night.