Looking for Serenity | Photos

by Elouise

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Frequent Visitor to Water Lily Ponds at Longwood Gardens

Every time I visit the water-lily garden at Longwood, I want to sit on a bench and drink in the serenity. I could use a little right now. So here it is. A virtual tour. Free of charge!

This photo looks back toward a large display hall in the Conservatory.
Note the round pond in the center of the courtyard,
with a blossoming lotus plant in the center.

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Six rectangular ponds like this one surround the central pond.

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The garden also includes plants that thrive
in ponds and wetlands, such as
this Dwarf Papyrus from South West Africa.

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Here’s a view looking toward another side of the Conservatory,
water-loving plants in the background.

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Next, close-ups of water lilies in full bloom.

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It takes a lot of effort to keep this garden looking spiffy!

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One last serene lotus blossom.
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God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

Click here to read the full text of the original prayer.

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© Elouise Renich Fraser, 29 June 2015
Photo credit: DAFraser, October 2005, July 2014, June 2015
Full text of serenity prayer attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, written in 1926.