Precedented Times: A Season of Gratitude

~ December 2025

I (Becky) recently attended a conference where a fellow grower lamented to the group, “I’m looking forward to precedented times, whatever those are.” I think most of us can identify with that sentiment. In reflecting on this past year, how unprecedented things have been; our world turned upside down in ways we never could have anticipated. But one emotion that continues to guide us as a family is gratitude. This time of year feels like the perfect moment to reflect on that.

As we shared through our family’s CaringBridge page earlier this year, being grateful for every moment and every person who crossed our path meant the world to us as we navigated a family crisis. For those who know our family’s story, our son Joey was in a serious accident in February. Today, Joey is doing miraculously well. He has made a full recovery both physically and mentally. To say this is a miracle is an understatement. We are all so thankful for the doctors and nurses who made Joey’s recovery possible.

Through it all, our friends and family were the foundation that held us up. They showed up in countless ways: with meals, prayers, text messages, hospital visits, and quiet presence when words weren’t needed. Their love carried us through the hardest days and continues to sustain us still.

Coming home to the trees, Joey has had the perfect place to heal. Our slow and steady work among the trees has provided the rhythm of recovery he needed. Working with trees teaches you to pay attention – to notice the small changes, to trust the pace of growth, to respect what you can’t control. This year, those lessons took on new meaning for all of us. During our most difficult time, our SGN crew stepped up when we couldn’t. Our spring field work got done in a timely manner and our trees got off to a great start growing. Our customers showered us with love, prayers, and understanding. Our nursery friends jumped in, ready to assist during our busy spring rush. The work of the trees got done.

Joey continued to heal at record speed, and by the end of spring, around Mother’s Day, he came home. We were all so thankful to be able to settle back into our routine, finally at home together again.

Summer growth was slow and steady – exactly what we all needed. I think we all appreciated the longer days full of warmth, sunshine, and the promise of new growth unfolding in its own time. Being among the trees, watching them respond to sun and rain, reminded us that healing, like growing, happens on its own schedule. Nature has a way of keeping us grounded when everything else feels uncertain.

As we settle into winter, a season of gratitude surrounds us. Our SGN Team is home with their families in Mexico and we are incredibly thankful for their steadfast dedication and hard work. We can’t end the season without saying thanks to our farm crew. Each year, they travel to our farm, leaving their homes and families behind. Today and always, we couldn’t grow such beautiful SGN trees without our dedicated team, and for that we are so grateful.

To everyone who has been part of our 2025 season – whether through prayers, patience, orders, or simply showing up when we needed you – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This year taught us that even in the most unprecedented times, gratitude grounds us, community holds us up, and growth continues, slow and steady, just like the trees.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas,

Jamie, Becky, Joey, Maggie, Zach, Fern & Benji

The Spring Grove Nursery Family

This new Field Update Photo Gallery is a stroll down memory lane of our growing season! Thanks for following along!