I’ve always loved fresh peaches and now that I live in the Peach State I imagine I will have many opportunities to enjoy peach ice cream, peach cobbler and peach salsa. Maybe I’ll even discover a great peach cocktail.
Another favorite food of mine is pecans. I love to add pecans to salad and at Christmas I make a sugar cookie with a pecan pie filling.
Being a dessert fan, I imagine choosing between peach pie and pecan pie on a restaurant menu would be a tough choice.
As the five year anniversary of Rick’s passing approached, I had been contemplating a way to mark this year’s anniversary. I wanted this anniversary to be remembered in a unique way given the many changes in my life. A new home and a new love has given me a renewed focus on my future. I don’t want that focus and the physical distance from Illinois to distract me from the special memories I made with Rick.
Of course my memories of our life together will never fade, but I mourn the fact that he is not here to enjoy the retirement paradise he helped me work for.
I decided to plant a tree. My “sister in love,” Ellen, suggested I plant it somewhere strategic —somewhere where I can easily see it and be reminded of Rick.
So today I bought a peach tree. I will plant it with the remainder of Rick’s ashes. I have the perfect spot in the backyard. I will see the tree when I wake up and I will enjoy its beauty when I have my coffee on the porch. When the tree bears fruit, I can make a yummy cocktail and toast my forever love.
I couldn’t resist buying a second tree. Next to the peach tree will be my new pecan tree. This tree represents the next phase of my life —retirement and a new life in Georgia with a new love. Joe is patient with me, giving me space to grieve the loss of Rick. He is also a little “nutty” and knows how to make me laugh like no other. How lucky I am to be able to love and be loved again.
Peaches or pecans? I’m glad I don’t have to choose. I love them both.