A place of beauty and strength

I greatly enjoyed “A Family’s Sanctuary” (Aug. 19). As a friend of Christy Hobart, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing her incredible garden for myself. Each year, we are happy and grateful to sit among the fruit trees and flowers celebrating another birthday for her seriously ill son, Ben.

Tuberous sclerosis affects as many people as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), over 1 million people worldwide, yet it still remains virtually unknown by the general population and has very little funding for research.

The power of a mother’s love is amazing. While building Ben’s garden, Christy has been relentless in her pursuit of funding and research to find a cure for this disease.

Like his mother, Ben is an inspiration to all of us. He is courageous and filled with joy.

In this garden, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Cece Yorke

Los Angeles

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I also made my garden at a time of great personal chaos, and my designer commented that I had a strong need for organization and control.

I didn’t connect my inner life up with the garden design until reading “A Family’s Sanctuary.”

Judy M. Horton

Los Angeles