The Fruits we don't eat

This mango tree is in my garden. We have been able to harvest mangoes for two years in a row, and Nazarene has pickled them each time.?Over the past two years, Nazarene has pickled enough mangoes to share with our friends, family and loved ones. Since we relocated to our house a few years ago, we presumed that these mangoes would be suitable only for pickling. However this year we allowed a few to naturally ripen despite many interested parties who would pluck them when they had an opportunity.

On eating these mangoes we found them extremely sweet and tasty.

Neither Nazarene nor I planted this tree. It must be over fifteen years old. My father planted the tree sometime in 2005 or so, when Nazarene, the children, and I lived in other cities. It started bearing fruit in 7-8 years later. When I look at the mango tree or eat the fruits of the rose apple tree in our garden, I am grateful to my father for making the effort to plant the trees in our garden.?

Today is my father’s 11th death anniversary.

I am not sure if my father got to eat the fruits of these trees, otherwise, he would have excitedly told us through emails and letters. He would have definitely shared the fruits with grandchildren Esther and Rakshan.

As I see the tree, I realize that I am enjoying the fruits of the labour of my father. My father left us with many grand things such as ideas, books, values, and relationships. He has also left us with something so simple as fruits that we are enjoying. It made me reflect on what we leave as a legacy even though we may not have an opportunity to experience and enjoy the outcomes of our work. Do we have a vision beyond our life for a generation after to live more happily?

In gratitude to Mr. Edward David, my dad.