Friday, February 22, 2008

Entry #18

Life
by Amy Talkington


The soapy water rushed around my hands and I glanced up and looked through the kitchen window. Standing across the yard is the tree we transplanted from Mamma’s orchard. It seemed so barren in winter. I knew though that by springtime it would be blossoming full of life.

Mamma used to take me for walks into the orchard and we’d sit under one of the trees and she would tell me about how long it took for the trees to bear fruit. At the end of her story she would always recall how I was born during the first real harvest and how that year was full of miracles for her. Looking back, I realize that my understanding was very limited. Trying to survive four seasons in an orchard with no fruit was heartbreaking.

I called Mamma when the doctors told me that I wouldn’t be giving her any grandchildren. She told me the story again and in a quieter voice she said, “It took four years and two months for that orchard to bear fruit. It took me longer than that to conceive you. Don’t lose heart.”

Looking at that tree so full of life not yet arrived I smiled. The tree and I both were full of life not yet here. By springtime the tree would have blossoms and I would have born my own little miracle of life.

29 comments:

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

I really enjoyed this story. Lovely and so very meaningful!

Anonymous said...

Lovely story!

Vesper said...

Wonderful parallelism, full of hope...

Anonymous said...

I agree - I like the layers of metaphors with the tree in your story. Very nice!

Beth said...

Well done, my friend!

DBA Lehane said...

The tree of life indeed!

paisley said...

oooohh that was a good one!!!!

24crayons said...

Thank you guys for the lovely comments!

Mr. T said...

I for one thought this was a lovely story. Very nice use of metaphors with the tree of life. Full of hope and faith. Congrats!

Missy said...

I agree with the others. This is very touching and hopeful.

Chris Eldin said...

This was nice on many levels. It was so easy and enjoyable to read.
I love this one!

Sarah Hina said...

This one has such a nice flow, and a beautiful sentiment. I loved your metaphorical interpretation.

It put a smile in my heart. :)

24crayons said...

I'm glad that you guys enjoyed it! I almost thought it was too simple and sappy (pun intended), especially among all of the really great work on this site. ;)

Unknown said...

A lovely piece of metaphorical writing. Sweet and hopeful. Very nice!

BernardL said...

Buoyant and positive.

Parabolist said...

A very warm, uplifting story. This is great writing.

PJD said...

This message of hope and perseverance, and not believing the nay-sayers, speaks to all writers everywhere who have ever received a rejection note.

(No, I'm not saying that publication is anywhere near as important or satisfying as having kids. But the message is still similar...)

SzélsőFa said...

What a heart-warming, lovely story, nice flow.

bluesugarpoet said...

It just goes to show that mom really does know best! I love how you've paralleled the story of the tree with the life of the main character: both must wait to see fruit. How true that is in so many other aspects of life too! Nicely crafted.

Anonymous said...

Apple trees and giving birth, this was so easy to understand and love was so evident in it. I loved reading it.

Precie said...

Beautiful!

Lena said...

very beautiful and so full of hope :)

JaneyV said...

I loved this. Poignant, gentle and hopeful. I'm a sucker for an optimistic ending.

foolery said...

This was so very lovely, Amy. I'm glad I clicked over to read it.

-- Laurie

Anonymous said...

I liked the mother-daughter connection here. Lovely.

Gnewvegan said...

Wonderful message of hope.

Dottie Camptown said...

I also loved the hope in the story.

Anonymous said...

Very heartwarming. The role of the mother remembered, her words, is very well handled. High marks!

Aine said...

Sweet joy! My heart goes out to the character. There is nothing like the hope that a new baby brings.