As the end of summer looms (egads it’s frost season. Already!) I have the pleasure of picking apples in the yard. I have 2 apple trees, and it’s amazing what that means for my annual fruit intake!
After a slow start this spring, my one tree remained minimal in its output, while the other one decided to bless all my neighbours and friends with abundance. It’s such a unique experience: the fruit at the top of the tree may look the most appealing with the hints of red, but the green ones within reach (without a ladder to fall from) provide the best tang and texture for baking and oatmeal. How very human to desire that which appears “better” even when it’s slightly out of reach!
Yet that ladder experience itself speaks of another component of the season: the benefit of others. When I ascend the heights, I make sure someone else is nearby – should my descent be too rapid they are there for help!
After completing the apple harvest for myself (meaning my freezer has hit capacity), I’ve given away about 100 pounds (so far!). I’ve heard of folks making pies, bread, crisp, and sauce… apples definitely provide an example of what it means to be generous: I don’t care what other folks do with their apples, I’m just glad they’re being used.
The apples also help me to comprehend our human concept of unused or wasted; many have either become bruised after having fallen in a windstorm, or have been a feast for wasps and other insects. They do end up in the compost bin; and while that may seem like waste, it is providing nutrients for next year. It’s not unusable; it’s just not practical for me to use right now.
There are numerous additional reflections I could offer, and others I’m sure I’ve not considered – however we take the opportunity to reflect on the events of our daily lives, may we receive as many blessings as my tree had apples!
After a slow start this spring, my one tree remained minimal in its output, while the other one decided to bless all my neighbours and friends with abundance. It’s such a unique experience: the fruit at the top of the tree may look the most appealing with the hints of red, but the green ones within reach (without a ladder to fall from) provide the best tang and texture for baking and oatmeal. How very human to desire that which appears “better” even when it’s slightly out of reach!
Yet that ladder experience itself speaks of another component of the season: the benefit of others. When I ascend the heights, I make sure someone else is nearby – should my descent be too rapid they are there for help!
After completing the apple harvest for myself (meaning my freezer has hit capacity), I’ve given away about 100 pounds (so far!). I’ve heard of folks making pies, bread, crisp, and sauce… apples definitely provide an example of what it means to be generous: I don’t care what other folks do with their apples, I’m just glad they’re being used.
The apples also help me to comprehend our human concept of unused or wasted; many have either become bruised after having fallen in a windstorm, or have been a feast for wasps and other insects. They do end up in the compost bin; and while that may seem like waste, it is providing nutrients for next year. It’s not unusable; it’s just not practical for me to use right now.
There are numerous additional reflections I could offer, and others I’m sure I’ve not considered – however we take the opportunity to reflect on the events of our daily lives, may we receive as many blessings as my tree had apples!
