My Garden Visits

by Justin Matott

Of all human creations, a garden comes nearest to heaven. In Justin Matott's garden, sweet peas, larkspur, peppermint, peas, corn, tomatoes, and a hundred other sweetly-scented and delicious things bloom and ripen daily -- gifts of earth's bounty.

One day in that garden a very special miracle occurred. Justin felt the loving presence of his mother, who had left this earth five years before. Why had she come? What could her invisible but palpable presence mean?

As he sowed, weeded, and harvested, he listened to his visitor's silent communications and felt the movement of change and growth within himself. In the forget-me-not, he was reminded of the precious uniqueness of his mother -- and every other part of creation. Along with crocuses and daffodil, memories of childhood blossomed. The cycle of garden life impressed upon him the eternal flow of beginning, renewal, loss, and new beginning.

At first, Justin hesitated to mention these mysterious, wordless colloquies, but when he did, family and friends urged him to write about them. So now we have this wonderful book, which invites us into the author's beautiful garden to share the love and wisdom that flowered among poppies and bean poles.

Illustrated with fifteen radiant full-page watercolors, My Garden Visits inspires us to cultivate our own inner gardens and lift our hearts in praise of earth and heaven.

107 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

Justin Matott was inducted into the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame in September 2021. His books and presentations have been entertaining the young and old since 1996.

He is best known for his "OUTRAGEOUS, EDUCATIONAL and HILARIOUS" assemblies, where he tells the stories behind the stories bound in his books, followed up by "absolutely fun and educational creative writing seminars!"

If you would like a signed, personalized copy, along with some good savings, please go to justin@justinmatott.com and order. If you buy three, simply email Matott at randomwrtr@aol.com to let him know to whom the books will go to and to request a free fourth book to be included for free.

Matott was in the corporate world when he wrote his first published adult book (though his fourth try at publishing). Random House picked him up and he has been writing full time and doing public speaking events ever since. Justin has been a storyteller all his life. In his books he blends real life events with imagination, believing there are stories all about us, just waiting to be written down.

A best selling, award-winning author of books for children and adults, Matott finds much of his inspiration while in schools, listening to the "AMAZING IMAGINATIONS" of kids and from his own sons and family. Matott spends days writing with his Rhodesian Ridgeback girl Butters. Matott enjoys many sports, hobbies and interests besides his first love of writing. The likelihood of an inspiration will come from weekly ski trips and jogging with his pup. There is just something about the rhythm of activity that inspires humor and creativity.

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Garden Visits is a beautiful and thoughtful debut work by Justin Matott. There are twelve vignettes, each featuring a certain flower or tree with the accompanying information about the plant, including its botanical name followed by reflections on the significance of the plant in his father’s garden as he was growing up to his own garden that cherishes. There are also beautiful watercolor paintings accompanying each vignette by artist Victoria Kwasinski, adding to one’s enjoyment. This is a book that Justin Matott has dedicated to the memory of his mother as he struggled after her death to come to terms with their relationship and what it has meant to him.

”She entered gently, to allow me a few moments to adjust to this experience without immediately jumping to the conclusion that I was obviously losing my reason. She seemed to be there to develop an area in my life that had, as yet, been incomplete. The balance of perspective, the reflection on a life now done would allow for the perspective of priority. I knew that I was in store for an experience which would deepen and widen my life. She was going to gently open a door in my heart that was in need of reflection. She had been sent to deliver a message.”

And so begins a man’s journey back to the relationship with his mother that had been lost through death. It became a heartfelt journey to discover the wonder of life’s gifts.

[Kendalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I took a chance and, without knowing a thing about it, picked this up on a whim in a second hand store years ago.
Even the smallest things I'm taking from this book, I am so grateful for and will treasure. I think I'll be spending much more time in the Garden from now on and, even if there are no "Garden Visits," maybe I can chance upon some "Garden Revelations" or "Garden Lessons." We really can learn and grow so much just by being close to tender green and growing things.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the watercolor images of the various plants and reading the description of each one.

[Marta C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and beautifully written