Telling the Truth

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.

Six rectangular ponds like this one surround the central pond.

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

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

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

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

One last serene lotus blossom.

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.