"Above all," Monet also said, "I must have flowers ... always, always."

My pilgrimage to Monet's garden at Giverny in France was all about his primary obsession and mine as well. Though I don't paint flowers, I do worship, grow, cut, dry, arrange and share them. I had always longed to see the landscape that inspired Monet's paintings of water lilies, brilliant red poppies, yellow iris, roses and the famous bridge over the pond with its ever-changing light and weeping willows.

Our two children were at Camp Huston in the Cascade foothills, and my husband and I were off to the most romantic city in the world to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Since we had only a week in Paris, we could dedicate only one day to an excursion outside the city. My husband, being a wine connoisseur, had an interest in going to Champagne, but knowing my passion for Monet, conceded to going to Giverny instead.

Before visiting the garden, we viewed Monet's work in the Marmottan, the Musee d'Orsay and the newly remodeled Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris. The Orangerie had recently reopened after a six-year, $36 million renovation. It showcases 22 long, tall canvases that wrap around two oval rooms, offering a stunning panoramic view of the painter's beloved "nympheas." Monet called these water lily paintings Les Grandes Decorations and spent about 12 years on them. We emerged from the museum feeling as though we'd already been to the garden.

Giverny is about an hour's train trip from Paris. A bus met us at the train station in the town of Vernon to take us the short distance out to the village of Giverny. We arrived around lunchtime, so our stroll through the garden wasn't hampered by the typical July crowds. We toured the atelier with its tall ceilings, where Monet painted Les Grand Decorations, and the pink house with its bright blue kitchen and sunny yellow dining room.

We took in the vibrant colors of hundreds of flowers and posed for photos on the bridge. Afterwards, we walked through the village to the tiny Roman Catholic Church on the hill where Monet is buried. We spent some time in meditation there and enjoyed the recorded music and the fresh flowers that adorned the altar.

"It is on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way," wrote Monet, "so we must dig and delve unceasingly."

It was a blessing for me to be in the sacred space where Monet received his inspiration. His passion, art and words of advice give me strength as I continue to "dig and delve" to find a way in my everyday journey through this beautiful garden we call Earth.