Cornerstone

The other week, one of my parents’ oldest friends came to Sonoma on a work conference. With her passion for the outdoors and architecture, I found the perfect place for us to meet- Cornerstone Gardens.

My favorite part of the gardens was this upscale junkyard in the back of a gallery with antique hardware and oddities awaiting yuppie remodels.

These gardens are unique in that they incorporate sculpture, landscaping and architecture, with a mix of urban planning.

This grass garden inspired a friend of mine who transforms urban lots in Chicago into community spaces using the natural landscape.

Sharing this place with someone who has known me my entire life made it even more memorable. When someone has known you long enough to see you change, while growing into the person you always were, there is an insight into the events in your life that can be the most worthwhile advice.

Being at a crossroads in my career and personal life always sends me to throw change, even chaos, into my life. Having someone who’s been in my shoes give perspective was as soothing as the garden.

We can not change the landscape we are in. We can only do our best to plant a garden that will thrive in that environment, and wait for it to grow.