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Acts of Service - Some Lessons I Acquired from Plums
Resident Submission by Kevin Jennings
Every year was the same. As summer was ending and school was just around the corner, I knew what was about to take place. “Kevin! Please go ask Mrs. John if she would like us to pick the plums from her tree.” It was almost always just after lunch on a Saturday. Mrs. John was an elderly neighbor two houses south of Grandma. Her husband was in a wheelchair and neither of them could pick those plums even if they wanted to.
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“You tell your Grandma she is welcome to every plum out there” was usually the response I received on their front porch. My little red wagon would be commandeered and loaded with wooden bushel baskets to make the haul easier. I was the designated plum tree climber as Grandma would sort through the lower hanging fruit. The bugs would insult me as I climbed and picked. I still remember the whitewash film covering hues of blue, purple, red, yellow, and green ripened fruit.
As we headed back home with our sweet-smelling harvest, Grandma’s pace would quicken with excitement as we neared the back door of her canning kitchen. Soon the plums were cooked into a translucent, mouthwatering jelly placed into recycled baby-food jars and other glass containers.
As soon as the first batch was cool, we delivered a full box to Mr. and Mrs. John. They always acted in surprised, genuine appreciation that someone would think to do a kind deed. All through the year, we delighted in the delicious, sweet, gleaming, purple plum jelly and thought this little ongoing arrangement was more than pleasing.
I have since reflected on the many lessons I learned from this annual ritual. I learned that neighbors help neighbors, and the elderly benefit from acts of kindness, as do those providing the acts. I learned teamwork makes the job easier for everyone. I also learned hard work is temporary compared to the benefits which last much longer. More than fifty years later, I am still enjoying those plum harvests.
