The little apple tree
Three years ago I bought two apple trees. I thought it would be a lovely thing to do- to introduce the children to growing, to watch them through the seasons, maybe even to have our own fruit some day.
I bought them pots and the right compost, planted them in, supported them, added little bits of crystals to their soil. Over time I introduced little bedding plants at their bases and nature brought in others- wild rose geranium, vanilla scented nemesia/ lucky little trees!
The first year neither of them had any fruit and my main focus was on keeping them alive. A little like when life presents you with a small baby. I watched over them constantly, moved their position scrutinised their branches and leaves for issues. They kind of just did their thing, kept themselves alive and encouraged me to trust and back off a bit!
The second year, one of them bore two very small but beautiful fruits. One of the many birds which we are lucky enough to have visit frequently must have feasted on those. That was ok, we were so excited just to see flower turn to fruit that the idea of eating them didn’t even really occur!
This year I was delighted to watch that same tree produce lots of blossom followed this time by five fruits!
I have encouraged her every time I glance through the kitchen window over the last few weeks and months, watching them get slightly bigger, slightly redder as I watch.
A fortnight ago we had a sudden blast of unseasonably cold wind which continued for several days.
I was dismayed to see my little tree’s leaves beginning to turn ochre almost overnight. Suddenly this week we’ve switched to warm weather.
This morning I was able to sit on the decking for the first time in a long time and I noticed that one of her fruits ( yes I’m sure she is a she) had fallen.
It’s been a super busy time and there’s a lot on my to do list. But I had to stop today. I listened. I gave her water. I tended to her leaves. I know she would have shed them anyway but it felt important to give her a hand. To show her that I noticed and that I cared.
i talked to her, said I was sorry that she’d experienced such extremes of weather and that she’d been a bit battered by it all. Most importantly I listened to her. I decided that perhaps she’s a little exposed and needs a slightly different position so I’m going to move her to a more sheltered place.
I told her how far she’s come and what a great job she is doing. I told her not to give up.
I’ve saved her leaves to use in some creative activities to illustrate her story and the lesson I’ve learned. I’ve recognised the mirror that she has shown me, honoured our connection, and recognised that by tending to her I am also tending to myself.
I made a promise to share her story with whoever needs to hear it, so that it can ripple through us all- and remind each of us to make time, to stop, to listen, to tend to what needs tending to, to learn the lesson, to give thanks and pass it on.
With love
Ether Real
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