Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Martina
A listener, a caretaker, and always ready to challenge herself, Martina brings a quiet strength to Leaf & Limb.
The first question I ask everybody is, “Introduce yourself however you would like.”
All right. Martina Lattimore, mother of four, yiayia of two, army vet, avid gardener, and, for the most part, lover of humanity. I live in the green. That’s my happy place. It’s my healing place. And it’s where I can give back to others. I garden for myself, but I also garden for the people in my community, fulfilling needs that are meant to be met. I’ll plant tree saplings as “memory trees”.
What are memory trees?
They are for people who need them. Instead of taking a big tree and planting it as a memorial, I’ll put a little tree or sapling in a pot and make it special with fairy benches, fountains, and other touches. The last one I gave away was to someone who had lost a very dear friend. Hers was a winged elm decorated with a little fairy bench and a tiny bird fountain, and I also put forget-me-nots in the pot. I hope that with this, she can remember her friend who passed unexpectedly.
What brought you to Leaf & Limb?
Leaf & Limb shares my philosophy, mindset, and love for nature. After coming to the interview, I discovered I loved the people. Being here has been a really positive experience overall. I love the diversity of intellect here and the love and individuals’ experiences.
But being here at Leaf & Limb, I’m also learning more about preserving and restoring nature overall, and it’s been a great learning experience. Plus, I get to play with cool toys. I would have come to Leaf & Limb sooner if I had known about it and realized its potential.
What were you doing before you came here?
Lots of things! I was an accountant, an assistant store manager, and helped REI with a huge research project. That was after the military and motherhood. My three girls are grown, so it’s just me and my son Orion – a mom with a special-needs adult child.
What was the most surprising thing about the job when you first started? Just how much I love it. But also, limb walking, I think. Just building the confidence to get all the way out on the limb was one of the most surprising things for me.
It’s fun to do, isn’t it?
It is. It’s terrifying.
Oh, that sort of leads into another question. We do a lot of things at Leaf & Limb. Do you have a favorite job and why?
Low-key therapist and confident? I like being a background support and bringing an uplifting momentum. So I connect with my coworkers and stay positive and uplifting.
You’re very attuned to the human side of this business.
Being in the trees with people who appreciate nature and all that it means allows me to grow in a more peaceful, human way. I love that Tyler is a lizard wizard. It’s exciting to listen to Archibald, Hayden, Zeb, Michael, Anna, and others discuss trees, shrubs, and grasses. Their connection to nature makes working here so much easier. Loving the trees, planting, and educating the public. It’s how I love humanity.
Being with the trees is very calming because life outside of Leaf & Limb, providing the needed care for my son, is extremely stressful. And so, coming here really calms me down and brings me back to my center.
Tell me about that.
Orion just turned 22 in March. And we are graduating from high school. He has to have 24/7 care. I make sure that he has a life, a schedule, and something to do during the day. And that has been a huge challenge, especially with trying to find a daytime caregiver. Finding someone willing to come in at 5:30 or 5:45 in the morning has been a serious challenge and will continue to be one. I finally found a place that I actually love working at. I want to work here for the next 10 years! I hope I’ll be able to. And just like limb walking, I’m out there, and I’m scared. But I think to myself, “If you can limb walk, you can do this.” You learn that you can do things out of your comfort zone.
Is there a book, film, or person that has had a big influence on your life?
My mother. She was a young mom. Her mother died when she was 13 and she pretty much raised her four younger brothers. She knew no fear as far as I could tell. She faced everything pretty much calmly and with sheer determination to come out a winner. But she was also a very graceful and forgiving person. She believed in faith but not religion. And she walked the walk. And so I draw on her strength when I am too weak, and I miss her dearly all the time. I am my mom, too. And I see her in my daughters, and I see her in my son as well at times. Her name was Gale. And instead of spelling it the female way, “Gail”, her name was spelled G-A-L-E, like the wind, and she was a force to reckon with. My mother told me, I didn’t have to like God’s children, I only had to love them.
What’s one piece of advice you give to someone just starting out in this field?
Don’t give up. You may encounter a lot of inner frustration, but don’t give up. Keep trying. Keep your ears open and be very receptive to all the information you receive. Leaf & Limb a very loving and caring place, and it’s one of the best places for growth I’ve ever been. I think this is great, especially for people under 25, and it’s been wonderful for someone like me, over 50.
