Growing Perennial Families Leanne Spengler, Human Development Specialist Erma Bombeck made an interesting analogy in an article by saying Friends are annuals that need nurturing to bear blossom.
Family is a perennial that comes up year after year, enduring the droughts of absence and neglect.
Taking this idea a little further, a flower garden could be compared to the community. Just like the garden, a community needs to provide a supportive and nourishing setting for families to thrive. Placement in the garden or community is important as well. Planting in rows or blocks allows for more convenient watering and fertilizing just as collaborations between agencies can provide a 'blanket' of services that meet the specific needs of the family. If the garden receives too much sun or moisture the plants may suffer a setback.