A History, a Garden and Friendship....

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.” ― Muhammad Ali

 This is a story about childhood friends. 

When I was small, making friends was not one of my strongest traits. I was a difficult child, nasty at times and completely emotional. I was ready to think the worst of a person. Needless to say, I didn't have many close friends.

During my brief stint in a boarding school, I met G, M, F, I, A and other girls. Some became my dorm-mates and others were class-mates. Suffice to say that since I was in school for only a few months, a  long lasting friendship wasn't forged between me and them and after school ended, we each went our separate ways. 

About a year ago, by the Will of God, 26 years after we left school, I saw the girls again. Shortly after that, Garden of Hope was born. Ironically, it is only now that I am finally getting to know these friends whom I had met during my childhood. It was during our weekly garden meet that our friendship developed and grew strong. 

I believe God has His reasons in arranging things as He does. Like the Wise Owl always say, 'nothing is coincidence. It will happen when He wants it and how He wants it.'

Many years ago, I did not know how to value friendship as I do now. Now, I learned to appreciate the strength, weaknesses and eccentricities in each of my friends. Even though we come from different backgrounds, it is the common goal that unite us together.

Ever since we started our 'gardening club', I am a better baker and cook. Sister M is a master baker and she is always giving us recipes and tips. Sister M is also one of the causes of my expanding waistline as she brings delectable cakes and savories every time we meet. 

Sister F is a master chef and can whip up a dish that can put, even the best chef to shame.  Her experiences and wisdom never fails to amaze me. 

Sister G is the positive vibes of the group. Hearing her scream whenever she digs out a worm, is the highlight of the day and it always leaves us giggling like school kids. 

Sometimes, the others would join us for our gardening meet and when that happens, you can hear shrieks of laughter from miles away. We exchange notes, share knowledge, wipe tears and even flick each other's ears when situation warrants it. Our garden? It has expanded and is in bloom....

It's funny how things turned out from just a 'Garden'. If you have childhood friends whom you have not met or heard from in years, perhaps now is a good time to try to get in touch with them again. It's always nice to have friends around. If you don't know how to go about, then start a 'gardening club'!

 Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily,     you do not enrich the people with your wealth, but rather you enrich them with your cheerful faces and good character.”

At-Tabarani 18