MTPS Thank You
As my time as your MTPS Director is coming to a close it is a swell of bittersweet emotions for me. On one hand it sure will be nice to have this 500-pound gorilla off my back and be able to attend the MTPS like a regular person again. On the other hand this has been a labor of love and it has also been one of the most rewarding things that I've ever done in my life. I owe all of that to you guys.
We have all made countless close friendships that we would never have had without the MTPS and for that I'm forever thankful and we feel extremely blessed because of you. Our little .7 acre yard has been almost completely landscaped with beautiful plants that we received from you guys. The cost of replacing this stuff at box stores and nurseries is unfathomable and there is no way to put a monetary value on the sentiment that is attached to everything. I think of each one of ya'll every time something blooms. So not only are you guys always figuratively in our yard but your always in our hearts too.
I want to thank everyone for your patience, generosity, help and cooperation. This isn't an easy job by any stretch of the imagination but ya'll have made it all worthwhile. Our regular members/old-timers have kept me going because no matter how bad I screwed-up ya'll kept coming back for more with a smile on your faces and in your hearts. What gluttons for punishment! Thanks for continuing to support me as you did Jan and Mona even though I was a huge step backwards. You guys keep the boat afloat and hold us together. The stability you afford the MTPS is incalculable.
Our newbies are the life blood of the MTPS and we need that transfusion or else we die; it's that simple. I think that we do a wonderful job of making them feel welcome and part of our family but we need to continue to make every effort to do that! It's the newbies enthusiasm and their bright eyes ("like children at Christmas") that pumps me up and makes me look forward to the next swap and makes me want to do a better job the next time out. Tell all your friends, family, neighbors, congregation, co-workers and everyone you meet about the MTPS; let’s continue to share the wonder and spread the word!
My VERY special thanks goes out to Joe Weaver and Rebecca Holder who along with Jan and Mona have always been my rocks to lean on and have always been there to help prop me up as well as pull my butt out of the fire on numerous occasions. No way could I have done this for so many years without you. I’m putting you guys in my Will; not that I have anything but it’s yours.
Norm and Barb as well as Marriandretti have always been my main sources of inspiration and laughter. You guys slay me and my life is soooooo much richer because of you! Rhonda, I just don't have the words to thank you properly - you're the bomb!
Last and most importantly, all my love goes to Jan Hobbs and Mona White who started all this by giving their time and effort at their own personal and professional expense. Ya’ll will never have any concept of the sacrifices they’ve made for all of us but trust me - I doubt that any of us would have done the same!!! They have listened to all my whining for years and commiserated with me when I was down and ready to give up (and there have been untold numbers of those nights!). We were so blessed to have those two fine examples of Christian ladies to crank this sucker up and make it the premier plant swap event in the country. We’re spoiled and don’t realize what a unique event we have because of them. I can't sing their praises or thank them enough!!! PLEASE keep both of them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. This is their baby that I adopted so please show them some love. They want to be here so badly but because of their situations they aren't able. As a matter of fact....everyone needs to email them and thank them for all they have done for us because without them there would be no plants swaps in Tennessee - period!!!
Jan Hobbs: buffalocanoeing@buffalocanoeing.com
Mona White: mlwgardener@hotmail.com
As a legacy for Jan and Mona, the MTPS is off the hook. I constantly peruse the internet for plant swaps, plant swap websites and plant swap forums looking for any ideas to improve the MTPS. While I acknowledge that I'm am biased, I challenge anyone to find a plant swap anywhere in this country that is comparable in any way to the MTPS. I'm in no way knocking any other plant swap because they all have their value and place - as I've said many times, we welcome every plant swap that comes along and I'll jump at the opportunity to support and promote those too. We are not here as a competition but rather to complement one another and to help spread the enthusiasm that these swaps engender to our society. You can't convince me that plant swaps aren't good for the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health of our World! So the more plant swaps the merrier.
If I had to characterize the MTPS in one word it wouldn't have anything to do with plants or swapping...the word is FAMILY!!! After all these years getting to know each of you, I feel like we are one big family. The MTPS is just a family reunion with plants and a speaker. Like all families we don't always agree on everything but in the end it's our love for one another that strengthens our resolve. But, if we don't pull together then we will fall apart so please support our new Director even more than you have me.
I really can't imagine my life now without you guys in it and that's what I'm most thankful for as far as the MTPS is concerned. So big hugs, major props and a huge thanks from Lavonne and I to every one of ya'll for everything you’ve done for us!!!
We love you guys,
Jeff
cherrisa
mari5us
Related Professionals
Ashland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Forest Acres Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Franconia Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fuquay-Varina Landscape Contractors · Muttontown Landscape Contractors · Oakland Landscape Contractors · Plainview Landscape Contractors · Raleigh Landscape Contractors · Shaker Heights Landscape Contractors · Tigard Landscape Contractors · Compton Solar Energy Systems · Danville Solar Energy Systems · Milpitas Solar Energy Systems · Muscatine Solar Energy Systems · Wichita Roofing & GuttersbigorangevolOriginal Author
ladybug37091
cannahavana
bigorangevolOriginal Author
cannahavana