An out-of-control vehicle breached the perimeter of the lot and crashed through the bedroom wall of a small house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It screeched to a stop just three feet from the sleeping boy’s bed. The event most likely occurred in the early 1960’s. The boy’s parents, Helen and Tunnie Sharpe, in gratitude for the miraculous saving of their son’s life, erected a religious stature in their garden. This was the first of many statues and figures to adorn their lot in a decades-long expression of thanks that resulted in the “The Garden of love”.
Helen and Tunnie married in 1952 and moved into their modest home at the corner of Agua Fria and Velarde Streets in 1953. Tunnie was a World War II veteran. According to family members, he died around 2020 at the age of 93. Prior to her marriage to Tunnie, Helen, a Harvey Girl, provided hospitality to travelers. She moved out of the Agua Fria house in 2021. At the age of 88, she now lives with her son in Lubbock, Texas.
During the 68 years the Sharpes occupied the house, the Garden of Love grew to be a well-known landmark on the west side of Santa Fe. Perhaps hundreds of figures of saints, angels, loving couples and little children filled the tiny lot.
As the Sharpes acquired new figures and accepted gifts of statues from others, they retouched the older ones on an as-needed basis. Thus, the garden always appeared bright and cheerful. An American flag, erected at the side of the property, flew proudly over the garden.
In 1979, I moved to the Village of Agua Fria, a few miles west of the Shape’s residence. I drove past the Garden of Love almost daily. Marveling at the plethora of statues, I would slow my car to view the new figures that were added on a regular basis.
Five years ago, I happened to move into a house one block from the Sharpes. Recently, as I was driving down Agua Fria Street, I noticed that the Garden had disappeared. The lot was bare, and I was shocked. There were no saints and angels nor loving couples and children. Unconsciously, I realized, I had assumed the Garden of Love was a permanent installation. “Where did it go,” I asked myself?
I wanted to know what happened and walked over to Velarde St. to search for neighbors who might have information. Luckily, five members of the Sharpe family had gathered on the newly graveled drive. I introduced myself as a neighbor who had lived in Santa Fe for 47 years. They introduced themselves as two sisters of Helen, a brother-in-law, a grandchild and a young boy. We agreed we would miss the Garden of Love.
The family spoke fondly of the Sharpes. Tunnie, they said, could fix anything and always helped his family and neighbors. “All we had to do was call, and he would be there.” I learned that Helen’s son bought the property and dismantled the garden. They, too were surprised that it occurred so fast, and they did not know what happened to the statues. The remodeling of the house began immediately after Helen left. We all felt sad until Tunnie’s brother-in-law remarked, “The garden is gone, but the love goes on.”