Between our two properties, a hedgerow of ginger is planted to someday provide a privacy fence between our house and the neighbors.  It is a cooperative effort, where cost and care of the plants is shared.  All of the rootstock was given to us by a mutual friend using cuttings from his garden.  About two feet long each, they were prepared for propagation and poked in the ground about two years ago, watered and fertilized regularly since.  These babies can grow to a height of 25 feet!

As you can see in the picture, they have done well, but there are gaps in the row.  Mainly, we have lost maturing plants to high winds despite our recent efforts to support them.  A couple of months ago, we received some more cuttings to fill these gaps, prepared them and re-planted the vacant areas.  These new plants have done nothing and actually appeared dead.

Our benefactor happened to be at the neighbors recently and I discussed the ginger with him.  “The new cuttings are not going to make it”, said I.  Our friend, in addition to being a wonderful, giving man, is an accomplished gardener with decades of experience.  His response was, “Let’s take a look”.  He removed a pair of pruning shears from a pocket and began examining the “sticks” one by one, cutting an inch here and scraping bark there.  Almost all of them exhibited green when tested.

He looked at me and said, “Dennis, people fail to take something into the garden that is an absolute requirement:  Patience”.  He concluded my lesson with, “You have to give things time to grow”.

This is true in life, as well.  It is best to take patience along for the ride.  Yet, the art of having patience is usually learned the hard way … by experiencing troubles, frustration and challenge.  Being pulled through knothole after knothole brings an understanding of the need for patience.

You can avoid the painful lessons of “banging your head against the wall” when things just aren’t going your way by simply deciding to be patient.  That isn’t as difficult as you might think.  I don’t know who first made the observation, “The only thing that is constant in this life is Change”.   As Texas residents are heard to exclaim regularly, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute and it will change”.  So, if you know things are going to change, even though you don’t know exactly when, just decide to give them time.  You will be rewarded, without the need for ulcers, frustration and anger in the meantime.

Maybe the “salad” is wilted and bland.  Perhaps the veggies are tasteless and tough.  Many times the entree is something we don’t like … perhaps liver is on the plate.  I hate liver.

Just remember, after the salad, side dishes and the entree, it’s dessert.