09/03/2026
Daily Wholesome 9/3: Orchard Peaches
My 87-year-old neighbor is a wonderful presence in my life and I have come to think of as a type of grandmotherly figure. There are a great number of things I admire about her, including her sharp wit, keen intellect, and free-spirited nature. Then there is the love and care she has for us. We are fortunate to have her in our community.
She recently left for a month-long roadtrip, and we missed her while she was gone. My son especially missed her presence as he loves to visit and spend time with her. She is like a great-grandmother to him (complete with stocking crackers for him at her house and leaving him with a new car before her departure). It’s one thing for him to be around grandparents, but to be around people who are even older is such a precious thing.
She stopped by an orchard for peaches on her way back from her trip, and while doing so, she thought of us. She knows we appreciate fresh foods, especially those that come straight from a farm or orchard.
I heard a knock on the door the day after her return, and I came to answer. She handed me the peaches and gave me a big ol’ hug before looking into the house questioningly. Was she in danger of waking “the baby?” (who is nearly three now, but still a baby to those who have watched him grow up).
“Oh, no, you don’t have to worry. He’s not here right now.” I assured her.
She gave me a big grin and explained where she got the peaches.
“I had been thinking of y’all,” she said with one more hug, and she went on her way.
“This is delicious,” the little one said when we shared a peach after dinner. He would know - he definitely ate a few pounds of peaches this summer. I made sure to encourage him to say thank you to her when he sees her.
It’s a sign of true love and connection that she thought of us. She has a large family and didn’t have to think of sharing with her neighbors, but she said she’d been thinking of us. When she saw them at the orchid, she thought of us playing there and wanted to share.
In a time when it feels like community is hard to find, I like to stop and appreciate the people who we share our time with. They make the days more joyful, the challenges easier to bear, the special moments extra sweet.
Who helps fill your days with more joy?
For anyone needing more reasons to be kind, patient and positive with your neighbors, consider this: If you do, you might get some peaches you never expected.
