For you, Mark

Heirloom tomato plants from California. May 12, 2009

Mark,

Due to the fact that our weekly meetings were so abruptly discontinued, i feel the need to tell you what is going on in the greenhouse and make sure that you aren't out of the loop.

Today i rolled up the sides of the greenhouse because it has been so hot. This has been a crazy spring! You didn't get to see all the amazing seedlings but there were tons of them! Lettuce, cucumber, nasturtiums (different variety from last year), sunflowers, basil (three types!), marjoram, and spinach. I was so sad last year when our heirloom tomatoes failed that I didn't want to try to grow them again. With things as they are, however, i think i might do just that in your honor. Maybe even Paul Robesons again - i remember you saying they were the best and i'm disappointed i never got to try one.

The garlic is huge! I'm so glad you suggested we grow it - i learned so much during that process and I really liked having something to visit out on the patio over the long winter. It was a constant reminder that spring was on its way.

Listen, mostly this is about me needing to say something that i didn't always take the opportunity to say when i should have: Thank you. Thanks for taking a chance, thanks for guiding sometimes and stepping back other times, thanks for trusting me and teaching me to trust my own skills. I wouldn't be here without you, and i'm not sure how i feel about being here without you now. The hiring process was casual: one applicant for a job that didn't exist. I'll never forget what you told me 10 months later, "I didn't hire you for what you knew, I hired you for who you are".

Thank you for paying attention.

You will be missed,

Tyler

Mark Allen, February 10, 1955- May 18, 2010