This Issue: Anniversary Reflection!

Happy Anniversary!

Dr. Russell Clayton

Reflection is the word, and when I look back upon the 3 years of serving our readers, I am reminded of how our journey began. It started with one word, “diversity.” My spirit called upon me to speak from the voices of every age, color, faith, gender, political viewpoint, and physical and emotional state of being. Soliciting folks from all over the world, we opened our Garden Gate on July 4th, 2014, with the single word topic, “Heal.” Since then, our Contributors have cranked out stories, poems, art, and all things magical to reflect the diverse spices of our garden. Thank you for coming along with us.

Our featured image of Guest Contributor, Russell Clayton, says it all. Hand over heart; Words by Russell Clayton invites you to see the reflections of who and what we are. Our hearts go out to Major Jason Carter, in E-mails from Jason, where he recalls his perilous experience in Afghanistan. In Reflections, Columnist, RJ Starr suggests we should stand clear of “absorbing” our past experiences. Guest Contributor and artist, Alex Wilhite, remembers his beginnings in Shoals area, and his process as an artist who is deaf. Contributor, Susan Peters, hits us in our soul with Witnessing Youth Jump Overboard.  In Remembrance and Reflection, Columnist Linda Isbell invites us to literally put our hands over our hearts as a healing practice to survive painful reflections.

Garden Spices has been blessed by all of the many stories of our Contributors, past, present, and future. Strong, creative, and wise, they celebrate the Father and nurture us with the Mother. I just want to say thank you and…

Gate open!

Vicki Goldston, aka, Victorine Founder, Editor-in-Chief