What difference does it make?

I wander around the Welcome Table Kitchen Garden  Park and make a mental note of how much work there is to do, what can and cant wait. What can I do today that will make the biggest difference?  Occasionally I make myself remember where we started and appreciate the beauty of a plant or a bed or a view or enjoy sitting on the deck or reorganize the shed a little. I keep thinking I will start weighing the produce that leaves the park with neighbors or with volunteers for the food pantry at the Welcome Table Community Center but I just can't seem to get started measuring the parks produce by the pound even though I know it will help with grant writing.  I measure the difference we make by counting cars that slow down so the driver can wave and yell "thank you"  or " I love your garden" or " I love what you are doing"  Counting double are the cars that pull over so the driver can get out walk up to the fence and ask about the garden.  If I can get them to come in look around understand this is a community garden with family beds and share beds and leave with at least a taste of something that counts even more.  The biggest difference the park makes is more intangible.  Will the children who garden with us have a better life because of  their time in the garden?  Will anyone who tastes the herbs and ripe tomatoes change how they cook and how they eat enough to make a difference in their longevity or energy? What about the students doing their volunteer time in the garden and the community service volunteers who sullenly or eagerly have worked in the park, what have they learned? How many gardeners will meet and become new friends? I expect as more neighbors plant family beds and our fruit trees are producing fruit to share we will more and more measure the increase in access to healthy food.  For now I think our biggest impact is that people don't avert their gaze any more when passing this corner, they don't feel discouraged by debris and weeds, they see neighbors gardening and a steady improvement in a block near home that was once simply a mess. Spirits are lifted.  That is our greatest difference.