Dedication
The Growing Life is dedicated to my grandparents, Dowlin and Daisy, and to their California citrus nursery. They’ve lived the growing life quite literally, and their story’s far from typical.
Their Story
Dowlin and Daisy met in 1955 and married 3 months later in California. Dowlin was 23 and had dropped out of high school several years earlier to work and support his parents (I followed in his steps, but left high school for very different reasons). Daisy was an 18-year old transplant from Tennessee. At the time of their honeymoon, they collectively had $50 to their names.
Their honeymoon lasted a day. The following morning they moved to Yuma, Arizona to start an agricultural labor gig. It lasted a month, and they were paid with a little money and 100,000 seedlings used to start a citrus nursery in California’s Sonora Desert. After starting the nursery, Dowlin worked 18-hour days, tending to his citrus nursery by day and working for others by night to maintain cash flow.
From these humble beginnings came the largest citrus nursery in the U.S. What touches me is not the nursery’s size, however, but the humanity it’s infused with. Yes, millions and millions of citrus trees were raised on that dusty, dry desert landscape. But my grandparents and their nursery also gave birth to aunts, cousins, families, as well as my mother, brother, and me. We’ve all lived there (at one time or another), grown up there, and have hundreds of memories associated with its every square foot. My psyche is inextricably bound to my grandparents’ nursery, to its desolate desert landscape, and to the truckloads of trees that have come and gone over the years.
My grandparents still live on their nursery — I don’t think retirement ever crossed their minds. Daisy runs the office, and Dowlin still drives around in his dusty ol’ pickup, picking fruit, pulling weeds, managing his workers, doing what needs to be done. (He could be driving a Lexus and wearing Armani, but to him that’s the epitome of awkward and I think he prefers the dirt).
My grandparents are in many ways the living vestiges of an almost bygone era of family farms. The nursery has no upper management, no lower management. There’s just my grandparents, one aunt, a foreman, 30 or so seasonal workers, and a whole lot of love.
My grandfather once remarked that he’d like to die peacefully in one of his fields, surrounded by the land he knows intimately and the nursery he’s poured his life into for the last 50 years (those weren’t his words, but I think they represent him). He wants to die sounded by mountains and desert, and the earth he’s shaped even as it shaped him. He wants to die while growing things, and somehow this seems beautiful.
A few months after being married, my grandmother found the check that paid for her engagement ring; the word “foolishness” was written on its memo. The Growing Life is dedicated to this foolishness, and to Daisy and Dowlin. I love you both.
JEMi @ InMyHeels said,
Wrote on March 25, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
I take it you’re just making sure you’re securing some kind of “Desirable Man of the Year” award for those fans of yours huh. I’m onto you - the aww factor is heart-tuggingly sweet
What a marvelous story *sigh*
LOL at the memo on the check!
It’s really inspiring - to know that they started off with nearly nothing together and years and years later they have done SO well! … TOGETHER!
Since I am so pro-love-and-romance, this post totally lit me up.
Scuse me while I *deep sigh* my way to the gym.
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on March 25, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
@JEMi: I’m not typically a sappy guy and I wouldn’t call myself romantic, but those guys really get me. I’m honored that you liked the story.
Barbara Swafford said,
Wrote on March 26, 2008 @ 12:18 am
Clay,
It warms my heart to see a young man who loves and respects your grandparents so much that you not only dedicated a post to them, but to learn it was them who inspired you to name your blog “The Growing Life”.
I’m guessing they are extremely proud of you and all you have accomplished thus far in life.
Can you imagine how many citrus trees are currently growing that were lovingly touched by your grandparents?
You’ve make me proud of your too. This is a great story.
Paul Montwill | Sharingmatters.com said,
Wrote on March 26, 2008 @ 4:16 am
Clay, now I know who and what shaped your soul over the years. You are lucky! Do you have any photos of the nursery?
Nez said,
Wrote on March 26, 2008 @ 9:06 am
Clay,
Awesome story.
Isn’t it amazing how a childhood experience shapes a person’s adult life?
That’s probably a major key to solving our own societal problems.
Jonathan Mead said,
Wrote on March 26, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
This was probably my favorite post you’ve made yet Clay.
Your grandparents are an inspiration to me.
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on March 27, 2008 @ 1:53 am
@Jonathan: Thank you for commenting :-). I was worried everyone was going to read this and feel all gushy and awkward and not read it, so I’m glad that you did.
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on March 27, 2008 @ 1:57 am
@Nez: Yea, it probably is. It seems that all to often we try and fix societal problems by putting people in jail later in life instead of investing in them when they are young. Which is too bad.
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on March 27, 2008 @ 1:59 am
@Paul: Yup, I have lots of pictures and lots of memories. So that’s nice. I’m down visiting them right now, so that’s also nice. I don’t have lots of time these days but make time for these good people, and my blog, and other good people (you know who you are).
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on March 27, 2008 @ 2:00 am
@Barbara: I knew someone was going to make the “nice young man” comment :-). It’s OK coming from you, however :-).
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on March 27, 2008 @ 2:02 am
@JEMi: Yeah, basically I write these things for the swoon factor :-). Seriously, how do you infuse these comments with so much character?
Nathalie Lussier said,
Wrote on April 1, 2008 @ 7:24 am
This was absolutely the sweetest thing ever. I am personally returning to my roots and finding that the land is really all we were meant to have. I love the idea of passing away on the land that allowed you to live on it.
Thank you for writing such a touching peace. It was beautiful.
Kelly@SHE-POWER said,
Wrote on April 8, 2008 @ 12:36 am
Clay
Jemi’s right, you are so headed for Blogger Bachelor of the Year!
I haven’t seen this before now and reading it actually brought tears to my eyes. So much emotion and reverence in those words. You’re a fine writer, Clay, I really mean that.
Kelly
Michelle said,
Wrote on April 29, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Kelly’s right. You’re a good writer, Clay. A heartfelt, beautifully described post.
Anna said,
Wrote on June 28, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
This is really, really amazing. I sent it to my mom :) Thanks so much for sharing it with us all, Clay!
Drew said,
Wrote on June 29, 2008 @ 12:53 am
I’m so grateful that I stumbled onto this post. Thank you.
Работа said,
Wrote on September 23, 2008 @ 1:56 am
Супер ржал целый день.