Welcome to Sleepy Shorts Short Stories for Bedtime. This podcast is brought to you by I have a story to tell you that will help take your mind off all of your worries and cares. Just listen and relax, then drift peacefully into sleep. It's time to turn off the lights and snuggle into your bed. Find your most comfortable position there. Now take a few seconds to relax your mind. It's time to sleep. Time to rest and rejuvenate our minds
and bodies. In order to prepare our bodies for sleep, let's do a couple of muscle relaxation and breathing exercises. I want you to inhale for account of three, and while doing so, tighten all of your muscles and inhale one two, three, Hold your breath, keep your muscles tense. Now exhale to account of six. While you relax all of your muscles one two, three, four, five six, feel your body sinking deeper into your
bed. Let's do this one more time. Take a deep three second breath as you tighten your muscles, hold it now, relax and exhale to account of six. Let your body sink even deeper into your bed. Now it's time for your sleepy short let me help you fall asleep the gardens. As I pull into the vast parking lot awaiting the day's guests, I am greeted by a smattering of deep green, weeping willows that line the gravel road to the gardens. Our head of security waves at me with a warm smile.
It's just the two of us this early in the morning, him to prepare for the busy day ahead, and me to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the gardens before the guests arrive. Though I have worked at these gardens for years, I know that I have never truly seen everything. The gardens have to offer. Each morning is as unique as the one before it, providing
an amazing experience every single day. I decide to start at the back of the gardens this morning, eager for the sounds of the bird sanctuary to breathe life into my soul. The bird sanctuary is unique to these gardens, situated at the back of the property. It was never meant to have a home here. Still, the owner could not deny her young daughter a chance to
nurse an injured robin back to health. She found it while dancing between the trees on one of her childhood adventures, and was immediately taken by its innocence and grace. The young girl's spirited personality was matched only by her kind and gentle nature. She soon convinced her mother to build a special place for the bird to rest and heal. It didn't take long for the sanctuary to grow into what it is today, a refuge for birds of all shapes and sizes
that fills the expanse of two football fields. It is the embodiment of the young girl's kindness and compassion for all living things. It serves as a reminder to be gentle, to do what's right, and to love without condition. I hear the sanctuary before I see it. I walk slowly among the calling birds who greet the day with their angelic songs. A red tailed hawk takes off from its perch and sails towards the clouds. Its wings effortlessly hold its
place in the sky as its soars above the others. I watch it intently as it flies away, anxiously awaiting its reunion with its mate. On the other side of the sanctuary, two scarlet macaws covered in decadent reds, blues and yellows are the next to greet me. Their morning love songs have already been sung, and they bask in the warmth of the rising sun. I silently thank the birds for their harmony as I make my way towards the flower
garden. The sweet smell of lavender greets me as I walk past the vibrant purple flowers blossoming on each side of the walkway. Their bright green leaves dangle lightly into my path, tickling my ankles. As I walk past, I run my hand gently through a smattering of freesias that stick out just above a stunning arrangement of hydrangeas. Warm reds, deep purples, and pure whites paint a horizon made for the halls of a museum. The floral scents and cool
breeze create a soothing sense of peace and serenity. Daffodils, lilacs, and daisies sprawl across the flower beds in front of me, petals reaching out towards the warmth of the sun. I can feel it too, my posture standing a little trader the longer the sun shines on my head. I pause before the stunning horizon and allow myself to take in all that this moment has to offer. I am grateful to be surrounded by the beauty of the floral arrangements
before me. I close my eyes and take in a deep breath. I allow the scent of the roses and butterfly bushes to wash over me, reminding me that life is experienced in these small moments. The fountains of the water Garden babble nearby, inviting me to join them in their stunning display of tranquil beauty. Fifty fountains call the water garden their home, providing the nearby animals a safe place to come and rejuvenate. I follow the steady trickle, watching
the water cascade effortlessly into the crystal clear pond waiting beneath. Coi and goldfish snake their way through the rippling water as they wait patiently for their morning snack. They weave their way through tall green grasses, under small flowering lily pads, and a gray stone bridge designed precisely for moments like these, just to watch and enjoy their serenity. The largest fountain stands tall and striking at the
center of the water garden. A young stone woman perches just above the pond Beneath her, she wears a gown emblazoned with deep red, green, and blue stones. A crown of gold sits atop her head, pointing towards the sky. Though her presence is strong and prominent, as if she were royalty, her head is bent down towards the glassy pond. She stares intently into the water, as if looking at her own reflection. Both intrigues and frightens her. While many pass her by without a second glance, I find that
the stillness of her gaze pulls me into her world. I remain still in the moments I spend with her, allowing myself the time I need to reflect and feel gratitude before moving on to the next part of the gardens. Rich pine trees and lush maples line the gravel covered paths that wind their way through the woods. Here they provide homes to the critters that play amongst the shady canopies high above the ground. To many who visit the gardens, these woods
are the playground. Stumbling toddlers and love struck teenagers walk the woods with similar awe and wonder. These woods feel like stepping into the middle of a fairy tale. Right down to the bird house, castles and fairy houses speckled between the trees. It is here that I imagine being one with the woods that surround me, roaming the grounds freely to ensure that all creatures large and small are loved and cared for. A squirrel dances gracefully down the path, giving
no sign of apprehension at all. The light brown creature pauses to sit on its hind legs, peering at the ground in front of me. A small acorn lies dormant at my feet, waiting patiently for the tiny squirrel to take and store it. Carefully. I move to the side, allowing my squirrel friend enough room to scamper the rest of the way down the trail to retrieve its prize. I smile as I start back on my journey down the path.
The crunch of the thick gravel beneath my feet the only noise that accompanies me as I make my way towards the conservatory this early in the morning. The Conservatory is an oasis for calm and tranquility. Split into seven sections, the conservatory provides a small taste of green life from every corner of the globe. The Rainforest Room is my favorite. This tropical paradise contains hundreds of plants boasting bright colors and bold textures. Pineapple and banana trees tower over the bright
ferns and harvest moon shrubs that make up the forest floor. The humidity of the room is warm and inviting. For a moment, I believe I'm in the rainforest, surrounded by its elegance and ever present harmony. I allow myself to pause in the moment, breaking down the apprehension stuck on my bones from the evening before. The Bonsye room is a mere ten steps from the rainforest, bringing with it a sense of admiration and amazement that I have yet to
find anywhere else. Bonsai is both an art form and an incredible teacher. Discipline, balance, patience, and peace can all be found in the short branches and pruned leaves on each and every bonsai tree. They embody all that is good in nature and the world, bringing harmony and order to those who find themselves mastering its art. With everything these gardens have to offer, it is the bonsai trees that ground me most in the moment. The meadows sit
just beyond the conservatory and signify the end of my mourning ritual. Here among the expansive wild flowers and tall grasses is where I do my best thinking. With nothing but the meadow in front of me, I allow my mind to fill with the vivid colors, aromatic smells, and lively visions of love and tenderness that my morning walk has gifted to me. As if the expansiveness of the meadow prompts my thoughts, allowing me the space I need to feel my
most creative. My body sheds the heavy blanket of anxiety from the day before, and I feel more myself than I have since the last time I stepped foot amongst these brambles and bluebells. It is impossible to truly appreciate all that these gardens have to offer, but they are a daily reminder that beauty and harmony still exist in this world. Everything that feels wrong or off balance feels suddenly righted, and I can finally breathe good night, ah