It’s hard to believe that only one fruit remained from the many blossoms that developed in the spring. I was so excited to have this one fruit as the prize after two years of cultivating this tree. All year long I obsessed over the number of growing fruit, then be filled with disappointment when one or two dropped.

As the leaves started to wilt and change color, I harvested my one fruit with swelling pride. I was going to present my family with a home grown persimmon. I was pleased to hand the first fruit to my daughter. A season of caring and tending to my tree was rewarded by giving the fruits of my labor to my children.