etA to: \A\e'hear your true stories

GardenBrian Andrew, 56, Yeronga, Qld

Ilove this garden,' saidfive-year-old Ellie, oneof my five grandchildren.'So do I. Let's go for a

walk,' 1told her.We strolled under the

bougainviUea and Ellie reachedout to touch the flowers.

'They're so soft,' she laughed.'Let's sit down now, Grandad,and listen to the birds.'

Sure enough, we could hearthe chatter of rainbow lorikeetsand the laugh of kookaburras.

'This is the Think andThank seat,' 1told Ellie.'What makes you happy?'

She thought for a moment.'Swimming in the summer.My brother, Noah, my sister,Sian, Mum and Dad. Oh, andyou, Grandad,' she smiled.

My heart melted.'I like working in the garden,'

1agreed. 'I getscared too, at thebig waves whenI'm surfing. 1maynot feel strong but1still do it. That'swhat courage is.'

In the gardenwe sat at theDream Table and IMy book brings fam.iJie.s to eth..::1asked Ellie what •• j ". _ , g.. ershe wanted to be when she 4. " .-

grew up. 'A nurse just like - --Mummy, and a dancer,' she said.

'Cool,' 1said. Then you canlook after me when I'm old'

When my friends Kaye andMike visited, 1told them aboutmy talks in the garden with Ellieand my other grandchildren.

That would be a greatchildren's book,' Kaye said.

'I don't write children'sbooks', 1replied.

'Wow, thank you!' she cried.I've also had lots of good

responses on my website,www.grandailsgarden.com.au.

The book is bringing familiestogether,' said Moira.

'Terrific,' 1said. 'And someteachers have told me they'regoing to re-create those spotsin their classroom.'

Now 1need to go and sit onthe Think and Thank seat! •

tlut Kaye got me thinking andMoira, my wife, encouraged me.

1needed some courage. 1spent almost two years and$60,000, borrowed against thehouse, to make my children'sbook dream a reality. Mike isan artist and was the perfectillustrator for me.

When 1showed Ellie mybook, I Grow in GrondadsGarden, her eyes lit up.

...-..• •

dreams1told her, 'and making such abeautiful place. Do you see thatlog? It took five men to carryit there. I call it the Let Go Log.Your grandma, Moira, sits theresometimes if she's had anunpleasant conversation withsomeone. She just lets all thehurt go and then she feels good.'

Suddenly we saw a blue-tongue lizard. They eat thesnails and slugs that eat myplants,' I told Ellie. 'So 1 likehaving them in the garden.'

She sat on the swing and 1pushed her higher and higherso she could see over the bushes.Afterwards we ran across thelittle beach I'd made and foundCrossover CorneL

'Is there anything that you'rescared about?' I asked Ellie.

'Starting school,' she said'Yes, that can be frightening,'

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