Anna Purcell
Every once-in-a-lifetime some truly wonderful, kind and generous people come into our lives. Though they may not realize it, Doug and Dona Taylor are just such people. They are always happy to greet everyone and share some kindly conversation, the way it used to be before we all got in too much of a hurry with our lives to stop and “smell the roses.” They give much and hardly know it. How humbling.
It truly impresses me.
To quote Kahlil Gibran, “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” That is Doug and Dona. They give of themselves in so many ways, including letting us in the community use their land and water so we may enjoy the fruits from the “Garden of Weedin.”
I recently had a small group of women over for a tea for Dona. I wish I had more space because I know a lot of people would love to have been there to pay tribute to Dona. The ladies brought gifts and told stories, my favorite being from her sister-in-law, Lorna Dove. She said that Dona was such a good cook at the prison (she worked there for a while) that prisoners were deliberately getting back inside just to enjoy her cooking. I know it was that, and more importantly she gave them respect. Being unaccustomed to it, they appreciated it. Gosh how I would like to be more like Dona and Doug!
Doug and Dona, you are greatly admired for the special people you are. We thank you for your ongoing interest in the people in this community and for your friendship. Bless you both.
But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head … The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on.
—Robert Finch
< Anna Purcell and an abundance of zukes and cukes