Picture perfect lemons arranged in an enormous clay bowl. Layers of largess. The sweet tart citrus was a gift from a recent friend married to my former student of 25+ years. The ceramic vessel, wheel thrown by my godfather, OMC, in the 1970s and gifted to my mother was recently regifted to Susan and me. Perhaps the generosity of friends and family is one of the essential ingredients for what makes a house a home?
Lemons from Afar
Picked
in January
in California
from his parents’ tree;
packed
into a duffle
with clothes, toothbrush, and
a few stems and leaves;
gifted
so nonchalantly
four dozen lemons
so ripe, so fragrant.
Smiling…
“The silver lining —
my clothes smell fresh and
citrusy,” he laughed.
Such abundance invites further generosity, so Susan and I have been regifting lemons to others. It’s super satisfying to extend the ripple effect, the generosity of friends multiplied. Especially with a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade!