Thank you to the United Fund of Talbot County 2011-2012 campaign. 

Easton, Pam O’Brien   Homegrown Tomato Time is Here ! 

If it’s summertime in Maryland, homegrown tomatoes are not far behind. I don’t know about you, but all winter long I dream about homegrown tomatoes. I look at the pale, gas-ripened, hard and tasteless tomatoes in the grocery and just walk away. Anytime I want I can close my eyes and remember that heady, peppery smell of the tomato plant. I visualize the small yellow blossom that promises a round, red and juicy fruit.

What does all this have to do with Partners In Care?  Just as there is no substitute for homegrown tomatoes there is no substitute for the feeling we get when we connect. When we live within ourselves we are not much different from a hot house tomato. We have the necessities of life, but we miss the nutrients that only real rain contains and the warmth of the sun on our faces. Without a meaningful connection to those around us we are like that hothouse tomato, we are just missing something. 

Volunteer drivers tell me the reason they like PIC better than any of the other volunteer work they do is because they get to connect with people.  Many times drivers will email me after rides with remarks like: “He is such an interesting guy.” “She is just amazing. I can’t get over how sharp she is for 94.” “Anytime she needs anything, you just let me know.” Riders will call and say: “What a really nice man. I felt so comfortable with him,” and “She certainly is a sweet and lovely lady.”

Our little ‘tomato patch’ in Easton has grown from the early seeds in December of 2009, to more than 100 members. We have ‘yielded’ more than 12,000 miles and 700 trips together. It has been more than rewarding to watch how the connections have blossomed and ripened into forever friendships. So, keep on planting those tomatoes! Water with kindness and bask in the glow of the beautiful harvest.