Cultivating
Community: Celebrating a Talented
Gardener
CULTIVATE-to prepare for earth for gardening.
Kim Taylor came to a community garden meeting a few years
ago, her enthusiasm infectious, her smile radiant. We listened to her endless ideas, solutions
to our garden challenges, it was obvious she knew how to create community in a
group and get things done!
In between her innovative ideas were quick references to her
vast repertoire of activity: seed
starting and repotting hundreds of tomatoes (indoors), being a foster parrot
parent (think large cages, cantankerous birds), big pet dogs, wife/mom to a
large family, many craft projects, innovative side businesses, varied volunteer
initiatives. The woman oozed creativity,
energy and a tireless work ethic.
PLANT-WATER-SEED
Kim took over the community garden at a critical time. A busy lady, she started out at the garden
coming to her plot at NIGHT! It was the only time she consistently had, with
headlamp on, she’d work her plot. She
confessed this between laughter as her amazing husband Avi dug through the clay
to install some edging. She initiated
grants, work bees, sponsorships, and connections in the community. The spring and fall plant share success was
due to her drive, ideas, organization and bringing her entire family of teenagers to
volunteer. It was never about her, it
was about the people meeting, people learning, people gardening and
growing. Her smile was big, her laugh
loud, her voice cheerful.
HARVEST TIME
Kim’s perennial legacy will always be hard work, ideas,
relationship, positivity, friendships, and growth.
Winter is a dormant season in the garden, a time of waiting
and wondering about spring. This year,
we have waited and wondered about spring.
Kim has had a long winter of illness, the weed of cancer took over her
body in March, but not her heart or mind and this year we will work to continue
her legacy.
On behalf of the gardeners and their families we are
grateful for you Kim Taylor. We offer
our deepest condolences to her family.
We will think of you on this journey of grief as we try to continue the
work she started. Kim, we thank you for
working tirelessly, even while not well.
We will miss you and we take up the challenge to cultivate community
like you did so well and so easily.
This year, the herb plot has been kindly sponsored by Kim
Taylor. We look forward to growing
alongside your gift this year.
