When we relocated to NH, we were fortunate to have a few apple trees on the property. On the morning of the actual transfer of deed we did a walk through of the house and workshop to make sure everything was in order. In the middle of the yard was a neglected (really overgrown and under-pruned) apple tree. Leaning against it was a worn wooden ladder, presumably for climbing into the branches and escaping the chaos of life. Amaya immediately saw the ladder and wanted to climb into the tree to explore. We were pressed for time and assured her she could climb the ladder after we signed the papers and owned the house. After we left, one of the owners returned for one last look.
After signing the papers we returned to our new home and all Amaya could talk about was climbing into the apple tree. We raced out to the yard and 10 feet from the tree we both stopped in our tracks. The ladder was gone. They had taken it with them. Amaya was devastated. I was even more so. She looked at me and said, "Dad, you promised I could climb the ladder."
I had no ladder and no excuse.
It took several months for me to find the right ladder for the apple tree: worn but not broken, aged but still sturdy, tall enough to climb into the branches but not dangerously high. In the interim we pruned the tree with hopes of bringing it back to its former glory. Amaya now has her apple tree and a ladder. The tree feels more complete now and next year we will use the ladder to harvest our fruit.
Years Past:
