It's Only a Peach

But it mattered.  Last week when I visited dad I was making light conversation.  It might be light conversation, but actually it is hard work because advancing age is robbing him of even more things like his hearing, and many days he is weak from the effects of his worsening COPD, heart valve failure and reoccurring anemia. Most days he seems happy to just sit and squeeze my hand during our visits, not sure who is comforting whom, but this day he wanted to talk and we were reminiscing about his gardens of years past and how much we both enjoyed the foods of the late summer season.  We talked about how he and mother canned fruits and vegetables and he seemed happy that we are growing tomatoes this year, and enjoying our first harvest.  Someone had brought him a beautiful tomato from their garden that morning and he was enjoying eating it out of hand, the juice running down his chin.   That's when the talk turned to peaches and I told him that I have been enjoying the wonderful Alberta peaches from Colorado.  His eyes lit up and he looked so joyfully thoughtful as he talked about how much my mother loved those peaches - and my grandmother too.  They always thought those peaches to be the best of the best and dad reminded me that the Alberta peach season is short and he would really like it if I would be sure to bring him one on my next visit.

The distance between us is only 90 miles and I know the times I have left to visit with him are numbered.  Still there are days when I am torn between my need to be the "good daughter" and my desire to attend to the things of my daily life.  I felt that way yesterday.  And then I saw a Colorado peach sitting on my kitchen counter when I started my morning coffee.  Unblemished and perfectly ripe, it even had a discernible fragrance.  I know immediately that it ( and I ) had a mission for the day.   He looked so tired and alone among the IV poles, cords and monitors when I entered his hospital room.  We greeted each other and I got an update on his condition but it wasn't until I pulled the peach from my bag and set it on his bed tray that I got the smile and the light in his eyes that I had come for.


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