Writing Prompt: The Window Box

 Prompt: Describe a person, place or thing that brings you joy.

The Window Box

German Village, where I live, is known for its historical houses and cottages, and cunning gardens, many of them meticulously maintained. Things are a little, err, looser at my place, with our random pots scattered around our patio, filled with an assortment of flowers purchased at Lowe’s every year. 

My husband Michael is the head gardener, he seems to have inherited a green thumb from his parents. I’m more content to be included on the plant purchasing end of things, and then watch Michael pot them; as I sit back on the porch and look at all the color around me. But there is one particular project I insist on doing myself every year: planting the large, green window box in front of our house.

My flower of choice for the window box is the sturdy but gangly wave petunia, which comes in a beautiful assortment of lively colors. This year I went with a combination of purple and white striped ones, and some solid-colored varieties in purple, white and red. I packed them into the box, along with a green trailing vine plant at each corner. I think this is a rather beautiful composition, if I say so myself.

This window box may be the only gardening project I do this summer, and it gives me immense pride. I gaze at the colorful flowers, now thriving, and say I picked those out, I did the planting, I’m watching out for them to ensure they do well this summer. Sure, there are far more elaborate window box displays throughout German Village, but my simple petunia arrangement gives me all the joy I need.

When things get me down, like they have lately, all I need to do is go outside and see the summer symphony of color around me. One can’t help but feel uplifted by the sight. With my window box, I’m a part of the performance. No, I’m no maestro but I do contribute in my own way. Here’s to the healing power of flowers. Thank you, my window box, for bringing me joy.