It came in a vintage jar, the contents a dark burgundy red, and I could see big chunks of cherry staring back at me from the interior. This wasn’t store-bought but homemade. The woman across the street handed it over with love in her eyes and even though it was a nasty day out with fall trying to make a showing, that glass of cherry jam brought some sunshine into my life.
I took it with gratitude because I know her cherry jam making skills. She does it beautifully and the taste is out of this world! A spoonful on my toast this morning had me singing her praises! She is sweet, well into her 80s but the lady never stops. She is on the go from morning to dusk doing everything necessary to keep herself moving. Working in her garden is something she loves doing, baking is her other love. Her son still comes over for lunch and dinner since he works from home. I don’t know what the deal is with him. He is good-looking, has a great job,has a nice looking sports car but I have never seen him with a woman or a man for that matter.
Who am I to wonder when mine hasn’t called or written in two weeks! I’m a helicopter mom but I’ve retired that helicopter and it is no longer working. I heard from my ex that he has a girlfriend. He went through a breakup three weeks ago and has been down in the dumps ever since but the man in the know, my ex, says that he is up and running again. Yes, girls do have that kind of effect on the young and not so experienced. So, I guess his life is revolving around her now. The good thing, he made it through his probationary period and is now a full-time employee and it is a big deal because that job is hard to come by. It also involves lots of traveling so I HOPE, I cross his mind now and then and he lets me know how he is doing although I am chomping at the bit to ask. I have to be patient but that is hard.
Coming back to that glass jar of jam. The neighborly gesture of caring brought more than just a jar of jam. It was sunshine, love, and caring all wrapped up in that jar of goodness. The fact that she took the time to show she cared mattered to me, and when she handed it over, she said, “Stay off your feet. No cleaning, no bending over, drink lots, and take care of yourself. You know what will happen if you don’t.” I nodded and I’ve been taking her advice although this time around, I do have slight discomfort and it is bugging me. Google says, “It is absolutely normal. You’ve gone through two surgeries, both big ones so give it time, about three weeks, and it will get better.” From Google to God’s ears!
It wasn’t just a glass of cherry jam, it was much much more and she knows it and I know it too. Kindness doesn’t appear everyday but sometimes it shows up in the form of a glass jar of cherry jam when you least expect it.
Have an amazing day.
