Things You Can Do With Your Family: Japanese Garden

Our experience tells us how, when kids grow up, families will never be the same. It’s called “empty nest” in some cultures, but it’s all the same. We move away from each other and never really come back together… like we all used to.

If you want to spend the most of your time together, some family projects are good to preserve memories. At least, in the ancestral home, we will have something to remind us of the times when we were all together…. sentimental, but thoroughly touching.

My grandma’s death reminded me of how time passes by and how short it really is to show every member of our family that we love them.

Tears aside, my suggestion is to build a Japanese garden together!
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One cultural quirk that the Japanese shaed to the world is cultural gardening. This form of landscaping and gardening is meant to create a place that represents nature in its purest form. Some elements include small and medium trees, bushy shrubs, shapely and unique rocks, clean sand, man-made hills. There are also dainty ponds that are purely aesthetic.

I have never thought of flowing water as an art form, but it is. The traditions of Zen and Shinto play a big role in Japanese gardening and landscaping. These sceneries are meant to put someone in a contemplative mood (for thinking up all these sentimental thoughts).

This is a good place to reflect, and when the young ones have their own young ones, a great place for kids to play in.

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