Annual Newsletter 1993
Dear Friends,
A welcome rain, the first basket of those green “summer” apples, and the tranquility of routine has overcome us. This is the quiet time of the year that is short-lived.
Winter reading found Steinbeck’s East of Eden intriguing. Adam Trask was describing to Samuel Hamilton the plan for his farm. And where will the orchard be? The response, “I won’t plant apples. That would be looking for accidents.”
We hope to avoid “accidents”, but we know of the curves in the road that meander to and through the harvest. Yet, the joy of family is what counts the most.
One of the gems we tuck away for safekeeping and occasionally bring out to renew our spirit happened a couple of years (or weeks or days) ago. Bill recalls one afterschool encounter that defines and mystifies parenting. From behind an open barn door he watched Adrianne and Ben emerge from the school bus and head up the walk. Adrianne skipped ahead, arms swinging, feet dancing. She scooped up her favorite cat and adorned it with affection as only a “mother” could. Its many mates sauntered over looking for similar treatment.
Meanwhile brother Ben slinked around the side of the house, spoofed the dog, and together they launched themselves. In a flail of whoops and woofs they attacked from the rear with spontaneous terror that sent cats and sister into the battle line.
A shout across the road neutralizes the storm. No casualties. From these brief moments of joy, love, anger, and despair we see ourselves growing in new directions. Will we grow up and older fast and avoid accidents?
Harvest season is almost upon us. With a promising apple and peach crop, we anticipate having “pick your own” peaches and some new apple varieties.
Hope to see you this summer!
The Gammies
