Many years ago, we noticed a couple of cherry trees along the side of a road that we often travel. One year, it must have been about four years ago or so, we decided to stop and pick some because it appeared that the cherries were largely ignored by all but the birds each year. We made cherry jam with our foraged harvest. And then, we never went back. Year after year as he watches the cherries ripen as we pass, Keats begs, “Can we stop and pick cherries?” And I always have an excuse to say “No, we can’t stop.” In all these years, I’ve never once had time to stop and pick cherries again? Maybe the truth is that when I am in route from A to B, I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to change my plans. This holds true if I am working on something at home, and a child asks me to stop and read a book. I don’t want to stop. I hate interruption when I am on task. But I’ve learned to stop what I am doing and read when I am asked to.
Yesterday, as we drove by the cherries on our way to his violin lesson, just Keats and I, he noted, “The cherries are ripe.” I don’t even think he bothered to ask if we could stop. After all, I’ve been finding a reason not to for years. I silently vowed to myself that we would stop on our way home. I’d surprise him. And I did. He filled a penny box and a few cups found in the back of the car full, and we drove home with our loot talking about cherry cobbler. When we got home I pulled out my favorite dessert cookbook, and we realized we would need to go to the store for ingredients if we were to make the cobbler. Keats looked at me, full of excitement, and said “Let’s go back for more cherries too!”
So we did, the two of us. And it poured rain as Keats picked cherries from his perch from the branches. “Keats, there’s your rainbow!” I shouted as I noticed the colors arching through the sky. Keats filled two big cups with cherries before we loaded up and drove to the grocery store for buttermilk and gluten free flour mix. Once we arrived home there was talk of a big storm looming and we all worried we would lose power. Everyone teamed up to pit those cherries by hand so we could get the cobbler in the oven quickly. The storm came with it’s thunder and lightening, but we never lost power. We had our cherry cobbler for dessert just as we hoped. I’m so glad that I stopped for cherries, but more importantly, that I stopped for Keats.
What a beautiful memory to treasure always!!! I know it meant so much to you both. I’ve never had fresh cherry cobbler before. Sounds like a delightful day!
Beautiful post Ginny. I can totally relate to pushing aside small (and large) requests in favour of my own agenda. I think all of us mamas can, but I never regret it when I push myself to stop for them. Thanks for the reminder and I will be dreaming of cherry cobbler!
Oh, Ginny, you just brought back a memory of my mom that I treasure. She was a hard worker, brought up on a farm, and always did chores and took care of her responsibilities before she allowed herself a break or some fun. I remember her telling me, once I was grown up, how very difficult it was for her to stop what she was doing and read to or with me, when there were dishes in the sink or clothes to be folded. She did it because she knew it was right and because I loved it, but it was hard for her. When I told that story to a friend, my friend said, “Oh that’s terrible! Was she trying to make you feel bad?” No, I understood it as a story about love–she loved me and that took precedence even over the lessons of her upbringing and her ingrained sense of responsibility. Much later, we loved to sit side by side and read, as companions. Thank you for sharing your story. The memory it prompted was my rainbow today.
you’re a great mom- I appreciate the inspiration you’ve given me to stop what I’m doing to read to my kids, which I find so hard! love your blog thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful story! I’ll bet that cobbler tasted extra delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Ginny,
I love this post!
I catch myself automatically saying “no” just out of habit sometimes. I’m so glad you got to surprise Keats. 🙂 And a rainbow too? That made it even more special.
Love,
Taryn
I, too, am trying to “stop for cherries” more often. It encourages me to be reminded how interruptions are what give us the chance to live in the moment.
beautiful! Every year at this time, it is so hard for my husband- he knows that there is a cherry tree in his grandmother’s village in Romania filled with the same sour red cherries…we don’t grow those in Southern California
So sweet Ginny! I love this story. And cherries!!!
What a wonderful story. I know it was such a precious time!! It seems important that we remember when we do the right thing with our kids. We (I) am so often looking back over the mistakes I’ve made. But maybe we should work on remembering what our kids are probably going to remember most anyway. I LOVE your blog! Thank you for sharing!
A lovely adventure!! As a grandmother for the first time, I am relearning to stop and cherish the small things in life! I envy your cherries – the birds ate all of ours before they ever turned red!! Eat a bite of that wonderful cobbler for me! (I so enjoy your writings and photos. You are a breath of fresh air to me some days.)
What beautiful cherries! Ours are not vy big this year and I am surprised we got any as it snowed and froze when the tree was in bloom. I think we will make some cherry bounce with the ones we do have. Never have done this should be fun! Thanks for your lovely post.
That would make a wonderful children’s book. I can almost see the illustrations.
Balisha
How special…another wonderful memory for you. 🙂 wish I could have a taste. 🙂
You’re such a good mom!
Oh how I wish we knew where there was a sour cherry tree. We used to have one in our yard, but the birds always ate all the cherries before we could get to them. The only year we did get cherries was the year of the cicadas and the birds were full of bugs that year. I even have an antique cherry pitter. Enjoy!
What a wonderful reminder to stop for the small things because sometimes they aren’t so small!
How strange. I have been thinking cherries too for the last few days. There’s nothing quite like picking fruit.
How sweet to have some one on one time with your boy! I am rigid like that too! Being aware of it is a good start to working on it!
So wonderful! I have dedicated this summer to saying yes as much as possible. I felt the whole winter I said no to everything and it was getting us all down. And an aside! We live in Canada so you are about a month ahead of us outdoors-wise. It gets me thinking about fun things like making cherry jam! Yay!
You hit the nail right on the head, Ginny! I’m the same way and once I’m in the midst of something I have a really hard time stopping what I’m doing to read a book or play with my little one…but how rewarding it is when I do! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Saying yes makes life so fun and interesting I wonder why we say no? I am a no or maybe later kind of mom. But I think the Yes we do say makes memories!!
And someday when Keats is a grown man and comes across cherries-he’ll remember the day he picked cherries with his Mom and he might even be able to smell cherry cobbler.
What a wonderful reminder! Stop and enjoy the world.
Beautiful story.
wonderful ginny. sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in all the stuff that “has to get done” everyday that we forget all the stuff that should get done. like this moment, picking cherries with your boy. <3
This reminds me of childhood. My grandparents had a lovely big cherry tree.
I know so well how easy it is not to want to be interrupted by children-a lesson to me to stop for them!
What a sweet mama (and writer!) you are.
Don’t we all need to stop more often!!! Wonderful story!!! I need to know where that cherry tree is. We love fresh cherries as a snack & they are so darn expensive in the store, over $4 right now!!!! We’ll have to plan to make it a play date!
They’re sour cherries–so not the best for snacking!!!
This made me cry. You are so darn eloquent. xo
also – must.make.cobbler
(thanks for the cookbook link)
Good for you–all!
We have wild cherry trees around here. So cool for this former city girl.
I was out picking wild roses this morning for my teas and was delighted to find the wild currants are almost ripe. Cherries wont ripen for a few more weeks here, followed by the wild plums and then saskatoons. Though all the wild apples in the autumn might be my favorite time….It’s hard to decide. Then there’s the elderberries and other berries. Hmmm.
Sometimes it’s hard to remember to make it a family thing. It’s so much easier to go picking on my own. This is a great reminder to let them pick their memories, too,
I love this! and WHAT is that thing hanging from the cherry tree? Please tell me it’s not a bat or a spider.
It was just a couple of dead leaves surrounding a cherry. I am not sure why I focused on it. 🙂
He will always remember that you did that. That you went back in the rain. Awesome.
How very sweet and what a wonderful memory you made with your son ! It is the simple memories like this that you look back at one day, many years later, and smile !
how lovely. must remember to just pull over sometimes. also kind of want to plant a cherry tree in my yard now, they look delicious.
That is lovely! You are a good mom.
Beautiful cherries! I’ve actually never seen a cherry tree before. Enjoy them! I treated the kids to a little bag from the grocery store…they are ‘on sale’….but it was over $5.
So sweet…and Keats will forever remember fondly of the time you surprised him with a stop to pick cherries. Twice in one day!
That’s special.
Blessings,
Kelli
God Bless Ginnie. I bet the cherry treats were soooooo good.
<3
The cherries are like jewels! Yes, I also dislike being interrupted – I feel like I’m doing the right thing, being industrious, not wasting time, accomplishing things (which need to be done, btw) and somebody wants me for something else. I think it was St. Therese who said that she treated each interruption as if it were God interrupting her. (well, maybe all the saints had that attitude!) I try to remember that.
It’s appropriate that Keats is wearing a Door County T-shirt, best cherry picking in my part of the woods!
I was going to comment on that t-shirt too, if no one else did! Love the shirt, love this story.
I love it, Ginny! Way to be the mom and stop for the cherries! I can relate to your desire not to be interrupted when you’re focused. I’m the same way. But it’s always so rewarding when I actually do stop and just live in the moment!
Beautiful! what a special gift you have been given in this tree!
Oh, what a great reminder to just stop a while! And gorgeous cherries! Now you have me longing for some…..
A beautiful moment in every way. Thanks for sharing it with us.
the cherries look so yummy, and what a beautiful story. It’s all about the memories 🙂
Those little yeses make great big memories. So glad you found time for this adventure. I often struggle to veer off task too.
This is so beautiful! How your boy must have smiled from ear to ear while eating that cherry cobbler!
A wonderful story, thank you for sharing.
This is so special. You’ll never forget it and neither will he. Life is stories and you’re making good ones! I LOVE cherries and it is special that you have this tree!