Green, the color of commonality
Green, the color of commonality
Survey says-”Maryland is one of the most diverse states in the nation and leading that is Montgomery County.” Since we've started selling plants, there has been hundreds of people that have come by to visit. And I have to tell you that 99 and 44/100% have been an absolute delight, except for those two decrepit old white ladies. Of all of these people the mixture and diversity, the different backgrounds, the ethnic and cultural variety has been incredible. Certainly I never ask and likely never will, no matter how interesting the answers would be. I can however come to certain conclusions based on accents, names, languages spoken in my presence, distinctive clothing and headgear. And sometimes, in conversations it comes out. We receive and welcome all manner of humans and even had a few non-humans visit (the cats were not amused by that). Gays and straights and others are standard issue around here. Not because I ask or care, but because of the introductions. A lot of people that come here are very friendly and open, they introduce their significant others which is how I can say they're gay, as opposed to basing it on some stereotypes and even so, it truly doesn't matter. On a few occasions, I have thought to myself “wow, you have good taste”.
Dearly beloved, we are all gathered here today and every day to look at plants and to talk about them, their beauty and their care, which ones will fit into their new potential homes. What I have found is that each and every one of these people have carried with them a gentleness in their hearts. A quiet level of passion and compassion. Even the guy who showed up riding his Harley, with his own bins to be certain his newest treasures would have a safe and comfortable ride.
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What brings all of these people here is a commonality, they love plants. The foliage and the flowers are the indicators, the obvious evidence of their passion, that chink in their armor that indicates the truth of who they are. But its only an indicator. The question is what's really going on here? Plant lovers, gardeners, tree huggers are all a part of one big group and frequently if each is a subset of that group, many times the individual members belong to more than one subset and frequently all three. The interesting thing is that all of these individuals regardless of which subset they are a part of all tend to view each other as family. So, while I'm selling a few plants, under a gazebo at my house, what I'm really doing is sponsoring a family reunion.
A family that is broad in its definition and wide in its interests, but defined not by simple terms but terms not often thought of. What is it that brings all of this love and compassion and joy together, is it a new bloom on a peace lilly, or a new leaf on a philodendron or an assortment of all different varieties, species and genus of plants thriving together in one spot. Or is it a primordial memory, a communal memory included in our makeup? Is it that ability to reach out and caress the leaves of a plant or aid one in growing to a majestic splendor that I akin to reaching out and briefly having a connection with the Earth Mother. Is it a reminder of a place and time where we lived in harmony with our planet, where the planet provided for our well being, where we were an integral part of the integrated system of nature instead of being the invasive pest that we have become?