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______________________________________________________
(Alma)
Gene & Dale Bauer
Garden Artists &
Plant Managers Extraordinaire
Photo
courtesy of Claire
Curran
"Heaven
is at our feet, as well as above us."
March 29, 2003
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bauer,
In
the spring of 1999, weekending up at Big Bear Lake, I
first learned about your garden by reading about it in the
Big Bear Grizzly,
the local paper.
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~twm
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It
was during a low time in my life, as a few months
earlier, I had just lost my dear ole Dad.
I
will always be grateful to you as my visit to your
garden lifted my spirits tremendously. What
you have created is a thing of beauty and it
brought welcomed sunshine and cheer into my life.
The
joy of your garden remained in our hearts, my
husband's and mine, long after our visit.
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Although
we've never met, it was obvious to us --and all who
visit The Daffodil Garden -- that you are uncommonly
generous souls and a one of a kind couple. How
could we know then that later that year, you would be
facing huge losses with the Willow Fire. Your
shared love, collaboration and devotion to your garden
impressed us then, and even more now.
"Two
are better than one
because they have a good return for their labor.
For if either of them falls,
the one will lift up his companion."
~
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
The
fire's devastation did not deter you. You've
rebuilt your home and restored the daffodil garden.
Once again, it is radiantly beautiful. At every
turn, your unbridled joy in living continues to be
reflected throughout your garden.
Whatever
gift each of you may have received,
use it in service to one another,
like good stewards dispensing the grace of God
in its varied forms.
~
I Peter 4:10
I
aspire to the following words of wisdom. You two
definitely fit the bill:
To laugh
often and much;
To
win the respect
of intelligent people and the affection of
children;
To earn the appreciation
of honest critics and endure the betrayal of
false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
to find the
best in
others;
To leave
the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a
garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier
because you have lived..
This is to have succeeded!
~
Emerson
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As
I write this, too many of our mountain pines are
succumbing to the bark beetle infestation and our
country is once again engaged in a war. This time,
with Iraq. As I walked your paths, once again my
flagging spirits were lifted and I surrendered my worries and
concerns to the Creator. In your garden, I was reminded of
what I already know in my heart: No matter what
the uncertainty, we're in good Hands.
I
was putting my digital photos of your garden on to an
online photo album to share with my family in Hawai`i
(no daffodils there). Once again, seeing those
daffodils put a smile on my face. It was then that I
was moved to express my thanks to you by creating a Web
site for you and your garden and "pay
it forward".
Some
people golf, quilt, needlepoint or fish for fun, others
grow daffodils and build garden paths. As for me,
I create Web sites, one page at a time, as gifts for
family and friends. You are friends we have yet to
meet, yet you already feel like family.
Although
it is but an amateur's effort, I hope you will enjoy
this Web site. Our gift honors you and your
garden. It is our pāna`i.
We hope to make your garden everlasting and accessible.
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Such
fleeting beauty. Three weeks. Such a
slender
window in time. This site will serve to
preserve for posterity the otherwise ephemeral
springtime beauty of your daffodils.
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Nestled in the
hinterlands and off an unbeaten track, your garden
is sequestered from the rest of the world. For most,
it is still an undiscovered secret garden.
Now, your garden will be "accessible" on
the Web all year 'round, not just for us who make
our annual pilgrimage, but especially for those -- physically-impaired
or shut-in -- who will never have the chance to see
your garden in person.
It
is my hope that this bright spot on the Web will provide
welcome respite for the world-weary. Even during
the dog days of summer or the dead of winter! Your daffodils will lift spirits and instill
hope. Just as they did for us today. We are
breathing easier...
With
Aloha
and Mahalo for your vision, toil, optimism
and generosity of spirit, this Web site is dedicated to
you, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer, a most successful pair filled
with the Aloha
Spirit.
>>
Next: Read Mrs. Bauer's Fact
Sheet
(She answers
the questions that visitors ask her)
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View Our GuestMap
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Where
are you from? Please sign our
GuestMap, a cool alternative to the GuestBook and LOTS
more fun! We'd love to know
where you're visiting from. Click on the icon to the left and follow the
simple instructions.
 First,
stick
a pushpin where you live; then, if you wish,
share your thoughts on daffodils and
this Web site in the comments window. Thank you! |
|
The
Legend of The Daffodil Garden | About
the Garden | Visitor
Info: When and Where | A
Virtual Walking Tour | (Alma)
Gene and Dale Bauer | The
Daffodil Garden Fact Sheet | About
Daffodils | Daffodil
Lore | Daffodil
Art | Daffodil
Sayings & Quotes | Daffodil
Odes | Daffodil
Links | Site
Map |
"The
only gift is a portion of thyself."
~
Ralph
Waldo Emerson
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First,
stick
a pushpin where you live; then, if you wish,
share your thoughts on daffodils and
this Web site in the comments window. Thank you!
.