Planting the Seed

Guests of the Fisher House go through a lot of eggs.  Assistant Manager Lorraine Thomas suggested that Fisher House start raising chickens to supply the need. But what started as a joke planted the seed for a more achievable project: an organic vegetable and herb garden.  A garden would provide fresh produce and herbs for House guests while adding to the beauty of the back garden.  It would also bring the added benefit of giving guests, especially those who love to garden, a happy distraction.  As families contend with being away from the familiarity of home and dealing with the medical needs of a loved one, it can be the everyday tasks like cooking or folding laundry that provide a feeling of normalcy, a sense of control when so much else is out of their control.  In such a situation, what could be better than taking some time in nature to pull a weed or pluck a sun-ripened tomato?

The idea took root immediately.  Local garden designer and author Lorene Edwards Forkner volunteered her time to design the garden and develop a plant list.   As visitors to the house heard of the plans, various ones of them asked to be involved, signing up to donate money, plants and muscle to the project.

The garden was named "Marianne's Garden" for Marianne Marks, a beloved VA employee who passed away in 1999 .  The VA wanted to honor Marianne and her daughter Melanie worked closely with the Fisher House staff to create a garden her mother would have loved.  (Click here for a message from Marianne's family).

Marianne's garden provides delicious organic produce, an occupation for guests who love to garden and is, in the words of the poet Saadi, "...a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul". 

View the garden photo album here.

One day I found myself facing so much stress that I didn't know in what direction to go.  I needed to here for my husband, and I needed to be back home in Idaho, which is many miles away.  I went outside to Marianne's Garden because it's so peaceful.  I thought I could help by pulling weeds instead of pulling my hair.  I started to feel better as I pulled weeds; then I noticed a 4 leaf clover and then another.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  They were everywhere!  Judy and Connie, two other guests, helped me count: forty-one 4 and 5 leaf clovers on one plant.  It was amazing, sort of a sign that everything is going to be alright. 

I have gone out to Marianne's Garden every day since then and I found more 5 leaf clovers.  It is one hour of "me time" that helps me think things out and keep the garden so beautiful. 

The Fisher House has to be a very special place to have so many lucky clovers.

-Val Spencer, Idaho

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