Just to be clear, Nora doesn’t actually choose which seeds Mr. Myles plants in the barrel, however, she bought a variety of vegetables and flowers from which she lets Mr. Myles choose.  Nora is a nurse who takes care of Mr. Myles after he has had several strokes.  One day when she is pushing him in his wheel chair to get him some fresh air, they stop and watch several neighbors working in the garden.  The next day, Nora buys a large trash barrel and a dozen packets of seeds.  She takes Mr. Myles down to the garden where he picks snapdragons, poppies, and hollyhocks to plant.  It never says in the story why Mr. Myles picked those particular seed packets, but Nora does tell us that many of the people planting in the garden seem to be choosing plants from their past or plants that define their culture.  Perhaps the flowers remind Mr. Myles of his childhood home or a happier time in his life.

I like to think that Mr. Myles planted the beautiful flowers in gratitude for the loving care Nora gives him each day.