My favourite customer - loved his coffee. Strong pots of coffee that I shared with him - while he explained history, language, geography, religion, culture. I loved my chats with him - the wise man of 1000 languages. He was my first and favourite customer he was the late great Aidan Cahill.
Aidan was an amazing man who spent his life translating and learning languages. He worked for the university and laterly for the ministry of defence - designing courses to make language learning a little easier for the recruits. In the process he learned dozens of languages.
I remember his daughter bought him Harry Potter in 7 different languages. Which he read for fun! I was suitably impressed.
My first winter with him he patiently taught me Polish - for free. I was an awful student who didn't do his homework. But we formed a warm friendship.
I am honoured to have worked on transforming his garden. He knew I didn't know much about gardening - but he gamely asked and trusted my advice anyway. I cut my teeth as a rookie gardener in his garden. I kept him going with the promise of spring - and he kept me going with a fatherly devotion. I loved him deeply and I wasn't planning to let him go without a fight. As a mark of his dogged get on attitude I only learned he had cancer after well over a year of knowing him.
With Aidan I encouraged him to indulge himself on the garden. He had been fairly careful during his life -but he enjoyed loosening the purse strings with me. And I had the pleasure of having carte blanche to do and spend as I wanted. His garden was a source of hope to him - and a legacy he wanted to work on with me. For him an enjoyable focus and perhaps a blessed release too. He would instruct me, council me, joke with me and reprimand me. I loved him unreservedly and would do anything for him.
We both knew he did not have forever - but I made him swear he wasn't going anywhere - he wasn't allowed to die. There was next year - and the blossom on his trees to look forward to. My customers are definately not allowed to die!
I am learning in gardening it seems an occupational hazard - that I will form strong bonds with my customers and they are not obliged to stay with me forever! And so the nature of seasons and time's march is inescapable - a tough lesson for an inpatient upstart guy like me.
I want to thank Aidan for the free education he gave me over the two years I knew him. He taught me Polish. Took me plant hunting for rare trees and treasures for his garden. I learned a lot - and he was kind enough to indulge me.
I remember my first season destroying his lawn and resurrecting it to rid it of moss. He took a big chance on me and it paid off - he was a little nervous but stuck with me. I remember his joy and enthusiasm. His fatherly talks - taking me under his wing. This last Christmas he wanted to buy me a turkey. And on Christmas eve I took ownership of the largest and finest free range turkey I have ever seen.
When great men go beyond - there is no fanfare. Or warning. Or goodbyes. Aidan will be kept in my heart as my first and favourite customer - all other customers will be measured against his yardstick - a tough act to follow.......
A brilliant man. The man who knew 1000 languages. A humble man. A kind man. My friend and fellow enthusiast.
You will be greatly missed - life will not be the same. You played your part in supporting my business - backing me as a gardener and a person. Enthusiastic and interested in my future - where I was going and how I would get there. Our ways have parted now - but your legacy carries on in my gardening. I plan to meet you again. And when I do you can show me round - where I will be gardening for you again no doubt.
Thank you.
From Your Hapless, Wannabe Rookie Gardener.
Sage XX
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Kingdom Plants is a small business with a big heart to serve you.
Next season is around the corner - and if you want a loyal gardener with a weakness for cups of tea, coffee and biscuits. Call me in to have a look. I am sure given some time and effort and working with you - I can make an improvement. Transforming your garden into a sanctuary, a little piece of heaven on earth.
