The Conservatory

The California Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate Park. San Francisco CA Photo Courtesy of Fandango

When I saw these beautiful Victorian style doors on Fandango’s Numbers Game post, I just knew I had a story to tell.

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When I first approached Golden Gate Park’s Conservatory of Flowers, I immediately felt it had been waiting for me. Worn though they were, those wise Victorian Era glassed doors, welcomed me with a warm glimmer of their old world charm.

The gardens were overgrown, and the pathways were eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. But as I got to work- pruning here, planting there- I started to feel like I was tuning in to the Conservatory’s unique rhythm. It was as if the place had a soul, and with each passing day, I grew to understand it a little better. 

I even left little notes that I hoped would resonate with visitors. I’ll never forget the first one I wrote, “Kindness grows where warmth meets the heart.” Watching people pause to read it, maybe even smile, was deeply fulfilling. It made me realize the Conservatory wasn’t just about the plants- it was a space where people could find a sense of belonging, too. 

Several times over the years, developers came with big plans that could’ve uprooted everything. Those were tough moments, but the community always stepped up. Together, we stood our ground and protected the space. It was incredible to see how much people cared, and it reminded me of the power of collective efforts. 

Over time, the Conservatory transformed, and so did I. Everything we achieved together was thanks to the countless hands and hearts that joined in along the way.

When I finally decided it was time to move on, I left one last note, “Every bloom has its time, and every gardener their season.” I’d given it all I had, and I knew the Conservatory was in good hands. It wasn’t just mine anymore- it was part of the community it had nurtured, and I knew in their caring hands it would continue to thrive. 

This is my contribution to Dan’s Thursday Doors.

38 thoughts on “The Conservatory”

  3. It’s so amazing, Violet, … the depth of soul and attachment described, … you had a story to tell from that photograph, and my word you told it, … I love this, … it spoke to me too 💫

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