"It was, quite literally, the last tomato of summer. For weeks my husband's uncle had provided us with delicious tomatoes from his garden. No fertilizers, no pesticides, just tomatoes he had grown from seeds saved from his plants last year. Tomatoes that were huge and firm and wonderfully sweet. And this was the last one.It sat in a bowl on the kitchen counter. I thought of chopping it into my spaghetti sauce but was afraid the flavor might get lost. A tossed salad perhaps? That seemed to ordinary for this prize. An omelet? Topping a turkey sandwich? Everything seemed too everyday for this last tomato. And then one morning the summer's last tomato was no more. Its top was wrinkled, and its sides puckered and speckled with dark spots. When I tried to pick it up, it was squishy and gave off a slightly acrid smell. I tossed it into the trash. A very ignominious end for the last tomato of summer.
I think of that tomato when I'm tempted to put off lunch with a friend, when I wait for a special occasion to wear my grandmother's cameo, when I promise myself a walk in the woods but never seem to find the time. Now-- the time is now to act on dreams, to nurture relationships. And, if you have one, to eat the last tomato of summer.
Great Giver of every good gift, let me be a wise-- and eager-- steward of all Your blessings."
-Mary Lou Carney
I needed to share this, it was the installment from August 31st this year in Daily Guideposts. It has meant a lot to me, and I thought it could possibly mean something to you, too. Thanks for reading.
Life is Good!
11 comments:
Truly a wise thought.
Don't save the very best for the 'right time'. The right time is now!
Thanks for sharing! Great sentiments and too too true.
I've done that so many times - saved something for a special purpose and it was spoiled before I used it. Hadn't thought of taking that lesson though. Thanks for sharing.
The last tomato of the summer is always a sad time of the year for me. I hate when summer comes to an end and I only eat tomatos that are homegrown or from a farm stand. Store bought ones give me canker sores.
If I can get over saving my fabrics for a special day I would be in great shape.
I use the good tablecloths and china. The best linen? For me and mine. I have actually learned this lesson you teach.
This was excellent, and good for me to read today.
Thank you for the reminder to use and enjoy what I have now -- not some future someday!
A very special lesson, indeed. I had to attend a funeral of husband's Aunt. So many family members were there. It was an Irish wake and quite a lot of fun to see everyone again. One of his other Aunts came up to me and said, I will throw a party like this soon and get to be around to enjoy it and then have a quiet funeral! I hope she does. It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday and miss out. Use those good things, who is more deserving than you and your family??
You are a very WISE OWL!!!!
Sometimes it happens....
....like with friendships.. sometimes happens that we saved some precious sentiment for a friend and then we have to put away because we see that the person you thought was a friend isn't like that and this is very bad!
This a time of year that I feel mixed emotions. I love FALL, but I love strawberries, peaches, melons, corn, beans, nectarines, and on and on. I ate the first mealy peach today. Summer is ending here in coastal CA. Sad, but FALL is coming.
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