2007 FBMG Annual Volunteer Recognition / Awards Program

The following is a copy of Glenn’s presentation to the membership at the 2007 Annual Volunteer Recognition and Awards program held on December 5.

When Margo contacted me and asked if I would consider saying a few words at our FBMG Annual Awards Program, I asked her what would be appropriate to speak to our group. She suggested that it might be good to talk about what the FBMG program has meant to me. I told her I would put together some thoughts on her suggestion and go for it. The subject of the benefits to the Master Gardener program was a little hard for me since I had already submitted two articles on how important this program had been to me since my retirement. In each of the two articles there was the central theme of how each of you has been so special to not only me but also to my wife, Brenda. We have established some really wonderful relationships with you and those friendships have helped to fill the void of the “business” friends we had while we were working. We have found friends like Becky Smith, Becky Leugemors, Cliff Bergman, James Buckley, and so many, many others too numerous to name at this time that wanted so much to share their gardening knowledge and experiences with us. Along with their sharing they have encouraged Brenda and I to share as well. I then thought about a book that I am reading called “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. For those not familiar with the book, it is a story of a college professor Morrie Schwartz from Brandeis University and his discussions with Mitch Albom, one of his former students. Morrie is slowly dying from ALS or commonly know as Lou Gehrigs Disease. Mitch visits Morrie each Tuesday and listens carefully as the professor shares his thoughts on “life’s lessons”.

From my perspective, Morrie shares a comment that, is the key reason or answer to what FB Master Gardening is all about. Professor Schwartz tells Mitch that "The way you get meaning in your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to the community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning". One of the key words in this message to live by is the word “yourself”. To me it is not what the Master Gardeners should do for “me” but what “I” as a member can do for the organization. To illustrate this further, I would like to share my thoughts on each of the three items that Morrie said we each should strive for.

To get a better understanding of Morrie’s message to Mitch, I went to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary to check out the meaning of the word “devote” which was mentioned in all three action steps. According to the dictionary, “devote” can mean “to set apart for a special purpose” or “to dedicate”. In all three of the action steps, Morrie is saying we must search out ways that will allow us to dedicate ourselves to those around us. To be a Master Gardener it definitely takes dedication, because where else would people come together to work for other’s benefit and pay for this privilege as well.

Now I would like to explore the professor’s First Thought of “devoting yourself to loving others”. Again, I went to the dictionary to see if there other meanings for the word “love” besides the traditional words we think of. The dictionary said “love” can mean “feeling a passion, devotion, or tenderness for”. This is an important point not only for living our lives but also what a Master Gardener should be. Master Gardeners not only have a devotion and tenderness for plants, trees, and nature, but also for the people that make up this wonderful group. Master Gardeners show their devotion and tenderness through their actions and words towards other MG’s but also to the many visitors that come and view the various gardens we have. We show tenderness to those in our organization when they have health issues in their lives or their families’ lives. Giving a hug or sharing words of encouragement shows the tenderness and caring that means so much to the person who has the issues in their lives. Sometimes we just give hugs and encouragement because it is a warm greeting to our fellow Master Gardeners. This is giving a part of ourselves to others and not the other way around.

Thought Number Two is the dedicating of ourselves to the community. To me the “community” can mean different things. According to the dictionary, it means a body of people living in the same place or a joint ownership. By this definition, community could mean Rosenberg, Richmond, Sugar Land, or Ft. Bend County. But it could also mean the community of our Master Gardener organization. When each of us take time out of our busy schedules to come and work in the various gardens, or volunteer to help with the Ft. Bend County Fair, or work with the schools in the Junior Master Gardener Program or in countless other areas, we are dedicating ourselves to making these activities a success for everyone and not just ourselves. Again, the bottom line is about “we” and not “me”.

Finally, Thought Number Three is almost the summation of what we should be about, not only as Master Gardeners, but also what we should be about each day in our lives. We should be constantly looking for ways that we can make a difference in the lives of others. We should be searching for ways to add purpose and meaning in our life while we add purpose and meaning to the lives of others. When you are able to hear comments from others that they are glad they had the opportunity to work with you or to cross paths with you, then you know that you are moving toward this third challenge from Morrie. When you take the time to tell others how much you enjoy working with the other Master Gardeners because they are so willing to help each other and share knowledge and information, then you are moving toward achieving the third goal of giving us purpose and meaning in our lives. We must always remember that each of us is an “Ambassador for the Ft. Bend Master Gardener Program”. You may be just the person who shares the right kind of message that encourages a person to decide to become part of such a devoted, caring community of people.

I realize that with these comments tonight that I am “preaching to the choir”. From my experience with many of you, you are each following the suggestions of Professor Morrie Schwartz. You are here tonight because you have put in the time, work, and effort to ensure the success of our Ft. Bend Master Gardener Organization. To me our challenge is to take the message of Morrie and share it with others especially those Master Gardeners that may not be here tonight. We must also share the message with those in the community that may be potential Master Gardeners. We must work to share the message that it is not about “me” but it is all about “us”.

Thank you for your time and attention as I share these thoughts about Professor Morrie Schwartz’s words to guide our life.