Adding positivity to life through gardening at 61

An inspiring story of Reena Juliet Louis (Khyaal Community Member)

“My name is Reena Juliet Louis, and I am 61 years old. I was born and brought up in Kozhikode district, Kerala. I completed Teacher’s Training Course after doing BA in Economics. I became a teacher for Lower Primary classes and dedicated my life to shaping young minds until I retired at the age of 56. I am married to Advocate Sebastian C.H., and we have two sons and one daughter. Our pet dog, Joey, is like family to us.

I remember when I was 4–5 years old, women in the neighbourhood used to apply henna (Mehendi) on their hands by grinding the leaves of the henna plant. At that time, I didn’t know which particular leaf was the henna leaf. I would pluck leaves from different plants and ask mother, whether it is a henna leaf. This ignited a curiosity about plants in me at a young age.

I grew up seeing my parents who were very fond of trees and loved gardening. They taught me to plant seeds and saplings. Sometimes, my neighbours would also call me to plant new seedlings in their garden. Gradually, I too grew fond of plants and greenery. I used to always water plants before going to play during childhood.

This fondness for nature grew with me. While I was teaching at the school, I had the opportunity to set up a vegetable garden with my students. I enjoyed guiding the children about the garden. Every day after school, we used to spend time watering plants and plucking weeds.

In 2011, before my retirement, my husband underwent bypass surgery. I took a three-month leave to care for him, and during this difficult period, I discovered that gardening helped me relieve stress. I started filling my surroundings with flowering plants, which marked a new beginning for me.

I retired in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown. Fortunately, my children were staying with me. I started spending maximum of the time caring for my plants. I loved buying different varieties of plants often. I used to always talk about my plants. My children introduced me to Facebook. They taught me how to post photos of my flowers, join gardening groups, and make online transactions. As I became more active on Facebook, my elder son suggested, “Mummy, you are buying so many plants; why don’t you start selling them?” This idea changed my perspective. I began buying new plants, conducting sales, and sharing my gardening journey online. My children have been my biggest supporters in this journey.

My terrace is now filled with bougainvillea, which blooms beautifully from November to May. Visiting nurseries, observing plant arrangements, and bringing home new plants is my favourite pastime. I am not much into shopping for clothes or other things, my true interest lies in plants. Joey, our pet dog, accompanies me while watering the plants and tending to the garden. Remarkably, Joey has never broken or displaced a single pot, demonstrating an admirable level of care and respect for the garden. Joey is a positive presence for both my husband and me. With my husband undergoing dialysis three times a week, hospital visits consume a significant part of our time, bringing stress and affecting our moods. Amidst these challenges, my garden has become my source of hope and strength. Caring for my plants and simply being surrounded by them provides a sense of peace and refreshes my mind each day.

I feel sad whenever I see plants drying out, so I even water my neighbour’s plants if they seem neglected. I have never hired anyone for gardening, trimming, or maintaining my plants. I prefer doing everything myself from preparing manure, removing weeds, and caring for my plants. Throughout the day, I water my plants in sections and tend to them in the evening as well. I enjoy singing to my plants, touching them, and pampering them with love. I don’t like taking naps during the day. Instead, I check on my plants whenever I get free time.

I wake up around 5:00 am and begin my day with a Khyaal Yoga session. Apart from gardening, I actively take part in Khyaal sessions and group activities. I love playing Tambola and Bingo as well. One of the most beautiful things that happened to me through Khyaal is rediscovering my passion for singing. When I first joined the Khyaal singing group, I couldn’t sing at all. But over time, I regained my confidence, and now, I can sing happily again. Khyaal keeps me engaged and active and I truly love being a part of it.

Even though I am 61, I feel much younger in my mind. I believe in staying vibrant and active. One advice for my fellow seniors is: Do not restrict yourself just because of your age. Try to keep yourself engaged and find things that you love.” - Reena Juliet Louis (Khyaal Community Member)