Like many others from around the world, I have no words to talk about yesterday’s unspeakable horror in Boston. In the hope of finding some solace from this grief, I find myself thinking of some beautiful memories I have of the Public Garden in Boston.

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of living in Boston for three years.  Through my work as a curator at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and in particular because of an article I was researching a monument in Mount Auburn cemetery by sculptor Thomas Crawford in Cambridge, I came to know a very distinct landscape architect, who had helped save the Public Garden when it was almost lost.  This fascinating person introduced me not only to her work in rescuing the fine Boston Public Garden, but to the field of horticulture in general. Polly Wakefield and I became friends as we studied her illustrious family’s history and in particular, the marker in Cambridge to her ancestor, Amos Binney. (For my article see, L.  Dimmick, “Thomas Crawford’s Monument for Amos Binney in Mount Auburn Cemtery: A Work of Rare Merit” in the Association for Gravestone Studies journal, MARKERS IX, pages 158 – 195.)

Through our friendship, I was privileged to live on Polly’s family estate in the “farm house” in Milton.  We causally shared many summer Sunday afternoon teas on her magnificent veranda overlooking her gardens, as well as a couple of  Christmas Days in her Isaac Davenport mansion.  My cocker spaniel, Samantha, was best friends with Polly’s corgi, Sally, and we happily watched them romp through the lovely gardens that she designed on the estate too many times to remember.  If you want to read about the very impressive Mary May Binney Wakefield, more information is available here: http://www.wakefieldtrust.org/site/about-us/polly-wakefield-a-brief-story-of-her-life.html.

I am thinking of you today, Polly Wakefield. You opened my eyes to the practice of your profession and to many wonderful horticultural experiences, which eventually changed the focus of my professional life. Horticulture has become the thing that (after my child, obviously) makes my heart beat the fastest, and you inspired me to become a lifelong learner and doer.

These pictures are offered in Polly Wakefield’s memory, as well as to those who were hurt yesterday.  Let us honor the ones who died.

How we all love the Boston Public Garden’s sculptural group entitled Make Way for Ducklings, based on the charming children’s book of the same title by Robert McCloskey.

It is also sweet to remember E.B. White‘s affection for the Public Garden, captured in his children’s novel, The Trumpet of the Swan. I don’t know if this is a fact or just an fantasy I had, but I believe White lived in The Ritz Hotel across the street from the Garden. Maybe a reader will correct me if I am wrong?

My thoughts are with Boston today and always.

Added later:  this was good to see in the paper: http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/theater-art/2013/04/16/museums-offer-free-admission-response-marathon-bombings/OZ3Y0QEXmbD0AqgCWq4FVM/story.html