Diary of a Gardener - Mentors
There is a saying, “none of us get there alone,” or something like that. Throughout my life I have been privileged to have help, for a lack of a better term. Help, guidance, confidence boost, teachers, bosses’ mentors are a few of those words and titles. In my personal and professional endeavors usually there was someone, or multiple someone’s who was there to cheer me on and teach me. Many of them did not know they were teaching me, but in subtle and not so subtle ways I listened, repeated, and gained valuable insight. I still hear the words of my first supervisors in my head today. My friends and family have always supported me. Between my mom and aunt working events with me, to my husband for helping me work jobs, set up, break down and the countless items he is built for me I have “never done it alone.” Do not get me wrong, I work extremely hard, but I am not alone.
Often those were referral partners, customers, friends, but sometimes they were actual teachers. When I started my horticulture journey, it started as an amateur gardener and a volunteer. To receive the required knowledge, I needed to be a volunteer I had to take a 13-week course on correct Florida gardening principles. Little did I know the class would open my world wide open and years later I would take that knowledge, learn more, and turn it into a business. Without those teachers’ passion for the industry, their mastery, confidence in me and patience I am not sure the course of time would have led to now.
When you find people who are as enthusiastic about your hobby as you are, you know you have met a kindred spirit. One of those people has been coined “Florida Friendly Landscaping Extraordinaire. I did not produce a name for her. But that is what she is. Until meeting this mentor of mine, I had NO idea about the world of flora and fauna Florida had, and its importance. Her humble, quite teachings spoke to everything inside of me and her enthusiasm for plants seeped out her pores. It was infectious not to want to learn more. She has no idea the can of worms, she and her colleague opened inside of me, but I owe them a debt of gratitude for pouring their heart into their work. I learned more than I ever thought possible.
I have so much admiration for the battles and struggles people must face. When that struggle is met with grace and dignity the giant you have looked up to seems even bigger for their openness and willingness of acceptance. To my mentor… you are a kindred spirit, an expert in Florida landscaping, its’ plants and wildlife and someone I can call my friend. Thank you.
If you have someone who has been your teacher, encourager, cheerleader, helper, or mentor, tell them thank you. To all my cheerleaders… thank you.
