Yesterday was the end of the 2021 season for Hasting Plants and I am already looking forward to next year!  It was a fantastic experience for many reasons:  I met some wonderful co-workers who have become my friends – nearly a second family;  I cared for plants I had never seen before; I met a community of regular customers – enthusiastic, cheerful, friendly; my work ranged from transplanting tiny seedlings, to creating special combination arrangements, to cleaning geraniums and begonias, pinching back basil, watering, waiting on customers, weeding and helping take down a greenhouse (which will be replaced before next season begins).

Personal Growth

I learned a lot:  there is nothing sweeter than the scent of a working greenhouse when it’s door is first opened in the morning, the smell and feel of moist soil, the abundant oxygen generated by the plants overnight – it’s better than coffee brewing or bacon frying (and that’s saying something!).

Luckily, I found I could work through pretty intense pain, nearly complete exhaustion and aching feet.  I learned how wonderfully delicious a sandwich can taste when you’re really, really hungry and how delightful a double-stuffed Oreo cookie can be.  I learned the wind never stops until you need a breeze and that work at a greenhouse doesn’t stop because of bad weather.

Soon, I learned that Wonderful Husband always has my back (and knows how to make a mean gin and tonic, with lime).   I learned that a gin and tonic after work is better than aspirin or Tylenol. I learned how to pick up a full, heavy bag of wet potting soil and dump it on the potting bench (thank you, Nancy).  Incredibly, I learned there a more varieties of tomatoes than I’d ever dreamed.  I learned that I didn’t know very much about plants, after all, just certain plants.  I learned that sometimes people just need to talk and have someone listen (well, I knew that before, but it’s worth repeating).

Another important lesson, people are imperfect, but you will love them anyway – and although I am imperfect, generous co-workers welcomed me, taught me, were patient with me, shared with me, laughed with me and at me.

Thank you, Nancy, Mike, JoAnn, Lydia, Barb, Brenda, Donna, Joe, and Lori!  God willing, we will be together a long time!

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