This short story is about my late mother Evelyn and her faith in the One whom Mary Magdalene met in the garden on that first Easter morn. It’s a companion piece to My mother’s latter years: Living with dementia (March 27, 2021), in which I gave an account of Evelyn’s later life and the impact dementia had on her and those of us close to her.

In the Garden was one of Evelyn’s favourite hymns. My husband Tony and I included it as a reflection and musical interlude during Evelyn’s funeral service in Brisbane and, one week later, during her memorial service in Rockhampton. At both services, our son Daniel played the melody on solo violin. The words of this well-known gospel song together with Daniel’s tender rendition on violin deeply touched our hearts.

Listen to Daniel playing the melody “In the Garden” on solo violin:

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The photograph (above) was taken on December 23, 2009. It shows Evelyn with grandson Daniel, at the Henderson Day Respite Centre Christmas luncheon. Daniel, at the time living and working in Vienna and at home for a visit, performed a violin solo during the function. Evelyn so loved Daniel’s violin playing. Photo source: Salecich collection.

According to Kenneth W Osbeck (1990), in 1912 a music publisher asked American songwriter and composer C. Austin Miles (1868-1946) to write a hymn “sympathetic in tone, breathing tenderness in every line; one that would bring hope to the hopeless, rest for the weary and downy pillows to dying beds” (page 116). In the Garden was the result.

Although in his lifetime Miles wrote and composed the music for about 400 gospel songs, he is best remembered for In the Garden. Over the years it has been included in more than 200 hymn books and recorded numerous times by well-known vocalists like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few.

In the Garden is based on Miles’ interpretation of Mary Magdalene’s meeting with the risen Lord Jesus in the garden, as recorded in John’s gospel (John 20:1-18). Miles’ words emphasise the close and loving relationship between Jesus (“Master”) and Mary, one of Jesus’ faithful followers.

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“In the Garden” was one of Evelyn’s favourite hymns. Photo source: Salecich collection 2017.

IN THE GARDEN

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

Chorus:

And he walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go – through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.

C. Austin Miles, 1912

Evelyn always loved music and song.

She grew up in an era when families and their guests had sing-a-longs around the piano. Evelyn’s grandmother, uncles and aunts were accomplished musicians and singers, although most were self-taught. They played the piano, button accordion and harmonica, and sung the popular songs and hymns of the day.

As a child Evelyn took piano lessons. Her parents didn’t own a piano, so she used to practise her pieces on the piano at her Granny’s home. Evelyn was never a confident or able pianist, however. She often told me, “I can’t read the music for my left hand.”

When I was growing up, there was always a piano in our home, and my brother and I took piano lessons from an early age. As a sight-reading exercise, I used to play many of Evelyn’s old dance music pieces, which she loved (and so did I).

A selection of Evelyn's old music books and sheet music. Photo source: Salecich collection 2021.
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A selection of Evelyn’s old music books and sheet music. Photo source: Salecich collection 2021.

Evelyn also loved dancing.

She grew up in country Queensland and, in June 1935, made her debut. She was 19. At the time, every young single woman looked forward to this time when they made their first public appearance in adult society (the “debut”). Following her debut, Evelyn accompanied her older brother Harold to the local country dances every couple of weeks.

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1935. Evelyn Beaumont, 19, as a debutante. Photo source: Beaumont Family archives.

Music and dancing were an important part of Evelyn’s life as a young woman. On 17 September 1942, the day Evelyn enlisted in Brisbane in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF), she and a friend attended a dance at the Coconut Grove, a very popular Brisbane dance hall in those days. A year later, at a dance in the Brisbane City Hall, Aircraftwoman Evelyn Beaumont met army officer Lieutenant William Proposch, her husband-to-be (my father).

In the 1980s, Evelyn purchased a Yamaha electric organ.

Along with the organ, Evelyn bought a book of easy organ music. Evelyn, in her 60s, was determined to master the organ and use its two keyboards and foot pedals. She spent hours learning and practising the simple pieces – popular melodies of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and well-known melodies from her younger days. In 2003, when Evelyn moved to Brisbane to live with Tony and me, the organ came too. Along with Evelyn’s piano, it took pride of place in our “music room”. In the first year or two with us in Brisbane, Evelyn played it occasionally.

2009. Evelyn tries to play the organ, while my brother Bevan looks on. Photo source: Salecich collection.
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2009. Evelyn tries to play the organ, while my brother Bevan looks on. Photo source: Salecich collection.

Music, song and dance formed an integral part of Evelyn’s life and identity.

I was keenly aware of Evelyn’s love of music, song and dance, and that these three interests formed an integral part of her life and identity. When Evelyn lived with us, from time to time, Tony and I would play for her the music and songs she loved from her collection of old vinyl records or our collection of vinyls and CDs. I would also play her favourite songs and hymns on the piano.

As Evelyn’s dementia took over, every Saturday morning, Tony and I would bring Evelyn into the living room (where we kept our stereo unit), seat her in a comfortable lounge chair, and ask her to choose the records or CDs she would like to listen to that day. It was a weekly ritual. In the end, Evelyn chose from a very limited number of records and CDs – these were her definite favourites.

Four CDs containing the music and songs Evelyn enjoyed most in her latter days. Photo source: Salecich collection 2021.
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Four CDs containing the music and songs Evelyn enjoyed most in her latter days. Photo source: Salecich collection 2021.

The familiar melodies, voices and words spoke to Evelyn’s innermost being, and (for a short time at least) brought her alive. We could tell she was spiritually refreshed as she listened to the gospel songs and hymns we played for her.

One of the LPs Evelyn often chose included the hymn In the Garden. One of our CDs also featured In the Garden. In times past, before the dementia took over, Evelyn often told us it was one of her favourite hymns.

Tony hadn’t heard the gospel song before, nor was he aware of its context or significance, so he asked Evelyn, “Why do you like this song?” And he’s never forgotten her answer: “Because it’s true.”

In the Garden: But no, not alone

No matter what she was going through, to the very end of her life, Evelyn knew she was never alone. In the eight years Evelyn lived with us, I know for sure she felt loved and appreciated. She often told me so. You could say that we walked and talked with her “in the garden” almost every day of her later life. Not perfectly, of course, to my shame, but we were there, continually, by her side.

But more importantly, Evelyn believed that God was always with her. After her death, I found a number of Evelyn’s handwritten prayers on pieces of paper tucked neatly between the pages of her Bible. On one of these pieces of paper, Evelyn had written the following prayer:

I meet with God in the morning and go with him through the day. Then when the night comes, before sleep, I pray that God will take over my problems that I had during the day, so when I open up my eyes to greet another day, I’ll find myself renewed in strength to meet what seemed impossible for me to solve alone. And once again I’ll be assured that I am never on my own and to thank God for his blessings that his loving care has brought. Amen.

Evelyn’s words may not have been original, but I know they were heartfelt. As a person living with dementia and incapable of composing a “public” prayer of her own, Evelyn used to copy prayers from one or two little books of prayers she owned, so she could contribute as a member of the church Sharing Group to which she belonged.

One of Evelyn's handwritten prayers. This one confirms that she knew that God was always with her, and she was never alone. Photo source: Salecich collection 2021.
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One of Evelyn’s handwritten prayers. This one confirms that she knew that God was always with her, and she was never alone. Photo source: Salecich collection 2021.

Early in the morning on the day Evelyn died, I picked fresh gardenias from my garden and took them to Evelyn’s room. I wanted to help Evelyn feel like she was at home, in the garden – the garden she so loved and tended until recently. Could she smell the flowers? I do not know. Perhaps she had already lost her sense of smell. But we knew she could still hear, so we set up in her room our CD player playing Evelyn’s favourite CDs. When we were not present, the hospital staff would change the CDs, and keep the music playing.

Throughout that last day, the beautiful music and songs Evelyn loved and the sweet fragrance of the gardenias filled Evelyn’s room. Even the nursing staff who popped into her room to check on her from time to time couldn’t help but notice, and were touched.

When Tony and I returned to the hospital on the evening Evelyn died, we found one of the gardenia flowers tucked under Evelyn’s still-warm hands, neatly crossed on top of Evelyn’s now-lifeless breast. “What a beautiful gesture,” I thought. “How appropriate.”

For me, the flower symbolised not only Evelyn’s love of gardening and connection with our garden, but much more. It symbolized Evelyn’s firm faith in the One whom Mary Magdalene met in the garden on that first Easter morn.

Evelyn loved the hymn In the Garden because, whenever she heard its familiar melody and words, it reminded her how much God loved her, and promised to be with her, to the very end of her days. After all, Jesus told his followers that when He left them He would send “another comforter” (the Holy Spirit) who would be with them forever (John 14:16). Evelyn believed this.

Unlike Mary Magdalene, Evelyn did not come to the garden alone.

REFERENCES

Osbeck, K. W. (1990). Amazing Grace: 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.

Fenner, C. (2019, September 18). In the Garden. Hymnology Archive (Website). Retrieved 29 January 2021 from https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/in-the-garden

MacKinlay, E. & Trevitt, C. (2006). Facilitating spiritual reminiscence for people with dementia: A learning guide. Canberra: St Mark’s Theological Centre Publishers.

Nabors, J. (n.d.). Jim Nabors sings The Lord’s Prayer: And other sacred songs. Vinyl LP Stereo. Australia: CBS – SBP-233602. Marsh, D. (2000, January). International 25 Favourite Hymns. Volume 1. Music CD. Australia: Brentwood Music.

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Author

Judith Salecich

Writer, researcher, former secondary and tertiary teacher and public servant, wife, mother, grandmother, child of God, photography enthusiast, lover of life, history, food and all things creative.

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9 thoughts on “In the Garden: But no, not alone”

  1. I am unsure whether I have heard that Hymm In The garden before. I really enjoyed listening to Daniel’s playing of the melody at Evelyn’s Christmas party in 2009 and I am glad that he got to play it also At Evelyn’s Funeral and Memorial service. That is a charming photo of your Mum Judy taken at her Deb Ball. I notice your Mum wrote down a lot of notes and kept them,and are glad that you found the prayer that Evelyn had written amognst them. RIP EVELYN.

    • Maurie, you are like Tony – he hadn’t heard that hymn before either! It’s an old gospel song, very popular in the early part of the 20th century, especially in the USA. Actually, the recording on my blog is one Daniel made especially for this post. His recital at the Christmas function was of more celebratory nature! I’m glad you like Evelyn’s photo at the Deb Ball. And yes, Evelyn’s handwritten prayers are very special. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Have a blessed Easter! Love, Judy.

  2. The greatest treasures we are bequeathed are our memories …Your treasure chest overflows, and is obviously well appreciated. <3

    Loved hearing Daniel play. Thank you.

    • Thanks, Chris, for your words of wisdom…and encouragement. I’m so glad you appreciated Daniel’s recording of “In the Garden”. He produced it especially so I could include the melody in my story. A special son. Easter blessings to you and yours, Chris. Love, Judy.

  3. Hi Judy In the Garden a very very old hymn. We sang the Hymn with the junior
    choir at Church on many occasions. A Hymn very easy to sing with much
    meaning. Thank you for sharing the story with us and Daniel playing the
    violin.

    Margaret

    • Margaret, thanks for sharing your memory of singing “In the Garden” in the Junior Choir. Yes, it was a very popular song through many decades of the 20th century. Love, Judy. xx

  4. This is a wonderful time tonight, I sat down and read Evelyn’s story .
    My lap-top is playing Daniel’s solo violin “In the Garden”.
    Not only the melody but also Evelyn’s truely faith deep touch my heart.
    Also the hymn encouraged me and made me comfort.
    We are not along.
    Judy, thanks for sharing the story.

    • Dear Caleb. How wonderful it is to read your message! I’m so encouraged to learn that you were deeply touched by Evelyn’s story and Daniel’s music. Our Lord is good. I thank Him that He used my story to bless you so richly. Love, Judy. 

  5. I personally also love that hymn; often sang it with the Junior Choir at our local church. It was also my Mother’s favourite song; I recall hearing her sing it all around the house as she cooked and cleaned. Loved hearing your son’s rendition on the violin.. brought back many memories.

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