September Memories

This is a picture from where i grew up and my parents posted this picture on there blog. When i saw this picture it brought a flood of memories to my mind. It may not mean a lot to some of you who look at it but, i would like to share what it means to me. The month of September growing up meant it was apple season in our valley. I grew up in a town in WA that was known as the apple capital of the world. A lot of orchards have come down in the last 15 years, including our own. You can't make enough money for what it takes to grow the apples. Anyhoo, i remember as a child the days of September when i would just be starting a new semester of school, i would go out in the orchard and pick a golden delicious apple, i LOVE the spell of orchards. I was extremely spoiled to live by an orchard and be able to walk out our door and enjoy plenty of fresh fruit. I am disappointed with the apples we have to buy at our stores, it will never compare to what i had as a child. I remember many times sitting on a ladder eating an apple doing my homework. Or going outside picking one and bringing it back inside and then doing my homework. I loved starting the beginning of the school year like that. I definitely enjoyed eating an apple more than doing the homework ;)

Almost everyday i would be outside in the orchard. I long history but, I had seven sheltie dogs that i would need to take care of when I got home from school. So, i spent A LOT of time out in the apple orchard walking up and down the aisles. It was a beautiful seven acres of land. I would walk up to the hill top and be able to look out at the valley. I have had many quiet moments just pondering, admiring the beauty,playing, working, praying on that land. I really contribute a lot of who I am to what I became living on that property. I wish everyone could live on an orchard I am sure people who have grown up on a farm or some land feel the same way. There is something special about being in the outdoors.

Here is the only apple tree on the property today. There use to be trees clear to the top, up by the house you can see in the picture. I am grateful for the many sweet memories i have of living on an apple orchard. It was a beautiful place to grow up! Bitter sweet memories! Sad to be gone and no longer have those days where I can just walk out my front door and enjoy an apple but sweet because i am blessed to have wonderful memories.

I like the saying "pictures are worth a thousand words" These two pictures i am sure could even say much more than that!