Read by Michael Flamel

Dear Readers,

Every now and then, a story comes along that hums with quiet wisdom, stirs the soil of the heart, and reminds us that healing often begins with something as simple—and profound—as digging in the dirt. Soil & Soul: A Gardener’s Global Journey to Healing is that story.

As the writer behind this tale, I want to share something personal. Though I wrote from the perspective of Peter Jackson—a recently widowed, retired teacher embarking on a yearlong gardening journey around the world—I also poured much of myself into these pages. Unlike Peter, I am blessed to still have my beloved wife by my side. But stepping into his shoes meant facing the unimaginable and imagining the path forward. There were chapters I had to step away from, take a walk in the garden, and let the tears come. I’ve written many stories in my time—but never one that moved me quite like this.

This journey, Peter’s journey, is a tapestry of friendships and gardens stitched together across continents—from misty Seattle to the cliffs of Interlaken, from Zen gardens in Kyoto to sun-soaked plots in Sydney. With each destination, Peter plants seeds not only in the ground but in his spirit. It’s a love story, a travelogue, and most of all, a gentle invitation to look closer at the healing power of community, nature, and our own resilience.

I owe my deepest thanks to the incomparable Christy Page, who illustrated this work with tenderness and vision, and who supervised the narration to ensure that Peter’s voice felt as real as his roots.

My hope is that Soil & Soul gives you joy, insight, and maybe even the nudge to pick up your own trowel in moments of uncertainty.

We invite you now to explore this heartfelt story in its entirety.

Click here to access the table of contents and begin reading. You may also download the storybook for offline reading and reflection.

With gratitude and growing things,

Don Nicholas
Writer, Gardener, Husband
For GreenPrints, where the soul of gardening lives