Viewing post #171488 by lovemyhouse

I doubt I am unique in this, so it is probable that some registrations are never meant to be cultivated for sale. Stumbled across an unnamed seedling on the LA that I just loved. Bought it for myself, then discovered I could NAME it. Wow! Okay, then there was a big bright light bulb moment. I reserved the name, the grower gave me the registration paperwork, and Mr. Walek took care of the rest.

It is registered to honor Joshua Cullins, a Marine Reservist and LAPD officer, who was serving in a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan when he died last October. He is the reason I started the Green Amber Gardens website. Learned of him when a DGer posted a prayer request for the family right after it happened. Been an amazing path since then with many other related activities--including, just recently, my own Cafe Press store. But, finally, the family's fan was ready to share last week. Had NO idea of the hoops that have to be jumped to just find out HOW to get a phytosanitary certificate. Thank Heaven for the courtesy and speedy response of the Texas office of the USDA, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the offices in Ventura County, California! Anyway, the fan was shipped on Thursday. Josh has a 13 year old and a 17 year old brother and I was told they are very excited. I can't envision growing for production, but the *name* will always be there and that continuation and recognition is deeply meaningful to Josh's family. It is also deeply meaningful to me to have been able to do something for a family I have never met that is helping ease their loss, even if only a little. When my niece died last year, and my nephew two years before that, many strangers offered support at a time it was most needed. Glad to have found an opportunity to pay it forward.