Yesterday, it was a beautiful day, almost picture perfect. Blue skies, sunshine, some clouds. I had a lot of free time while my 20-something son and a friend were rebuilding a fence that my spouse had put up, using pre built panels, too many years ago to prevent my son (then a toddler) from falling down a slope at the edge of our property.
I'll be blogging more about the rejuvenation of my back yard fence another time.
But, mid-afternoon, I suddenly got an attack of the "I'm not appreciated, I'm the last one invited to the party, no one wants me around" blues. I have no idea why I suddenly felt this way but it was too nice a day for feeling blue.
Then, I thought about this bowl of strawberries.
The picture was texted to me the other day by my friend of over 50 years in Brooklyn. I visited her in May and she had shown off her garden. In a small backyard in Brooklyn, she grows everything from strawberries to tomatoes to rosemary and other herbs. She even starts plants from seed in a little upright plastic greenhouse. This, despite many health challenges.
But, she planted those strawberries and watched them bloom. She tended them, on her good days. She tended them, on her not so good days.
And one day, she went out to her yard, and she picked a bowlful of strawberries.
Those strawberries are part of her faith that one day, life will be better for her and her husband.
I really don't care if I am the last one picked. I was picked by the right people. Thank you, friend, for the virtual strawberries.
Sweet post, Alana! I heard a very old man once say that if he could make it through the winter until the strawberries were growing again, that he knew that he'd live another year. It was a bit of a superstition, but perhaps also a self-filled prophecy, too. How nice that you were able to turn your bad mood around and turn to gratitude, instead. Very wise of you!
ReplyDeleteI love your story.
Delete....scrumptious home-grown strawbs - what could be better?
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. I didn't see any local strawberries in our farmer's market on Saturday, but they should be ready any day now, I hope. I'm worried, though,because it's been raining a lot recently. Will cross fingers.
DeleteThis almost made me cry, Alana. It's certainly a poignant post - and I was not expecting that when I clicked over and saw your bowl of strawberries. You've really warmed my heart today.
ReplyDeleteThank you. There is a little humor in here because when my friend texted me she only sent the photo - no explanation. I was so "thick" I never figured it out until she emailed me.
DeleteYummy Strawberries, :) Glad turned mood around!
ReplyDeleteThere are few things as delicious as fresh, sweet strawberries!
DeleteMMM! You really cannot beat home grown strawberries!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. When it comes to friends, like so many other things in life, it is quality not quantity. Enjoyed your strawberries.
ReplyDelete