About two years ago, Tom and I were driving along Highland Drive (wraps around LeFleur's Bluff Park and the Science Museum before crossing over I-55 and heading into Belhaven) here in Jackson and noticed something unusual. As we were bouncing along Highland (those who know Jackson know that we have VERY bouncy roads), we spotted a lone figure in the median kneeling next to a wheel barrow and tending to a very young tree. We had noticed some months before that the trees had been planted and though how lovely that was of the City of Jackson or the MS Department of Transportation to plant a green screen from the Interstate below. As we continued down the road, we came upon an old black truck parked in a turn around in the median. That was when we realized that the figure we saw tending to the trees was our neighbor, Josh Weiner! The person responsible for this work that is traditionally done by the city or MDOT was an individual. (Let that sink in.)
Since that day, we have watched several "crops" of trees spring up. We occasionally run across Josh tending to them on weekends, placing wire around the young saplings so that they won't get run over by a lawn mower, mulching them in the spring, and watering them by hand in times of drought. In May, we discovered Josh furiously working with a young associate on Riverside Drive where they were pruning the low sprigs of limbs of the majestic live oaks that line that Drive. As we ran errands throughout the day, we watched Josh and friend fill the back of his old black truck with load upon load of pruned limbs. It was a very hot day, but by the end of the day when we saw Josh and his lovely wife, Judy, standing outside, Josh looked so very at peace.
Recently, Tom and I noticed that a new stand of trees has been planted. These are evergreens that line the edge of the overpass on the West side of I-55 where Riverside begins. When I see them, I can see how beautiful their frosted blue-green limbs will be as they grow with tended love to shield our neighborhood from the sounds of the Interstate.
I've never personally thanked Josh (and Judy for supporting him) for what he does for our neighborhood. Next time I chat with him, I will tell him.
It takes effort to make a community great. It takes love and dedication. Some people do this through working with organizations or through talking to their neighbors and bringing them food to celebrate the birth of a new baby. Some people don't need the person-to-person contact, but just put their heads down and do the dirty, hard labor on their own that make our space and neighborhood more beautiful.
So, Josh Weiner, we notice and appreciate your work and your support of the community. Thank you.
There are those who trumpet their efforts, and those who quietly serve, not wanting or expecting anything in return. Both are good, for both are serving. But I have a real special place in my heart for those, like Josh Weiner, who serve quietly, from his heart, because he feels it's the right thing to do. If everyone would just do one thing to leave this Earth better place,imagine how wonderful life would be for generations to come. Kitty, I love your blog, and hope you continue writing and sharing. By doing so, we are inspired.
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