52 Blessings - Life Really is a Bowl of Fruit

To start discussions - whether it be at the supper table or beginning a class - I ask a question, give everyone 30 seconds to think of an answer, and then everyone shares their answer.  The questions are varied - some are fun, some are serious - but all the answers are insightful.  I cannot overstate the value of people getting to be heard and then learning to give that respect to others.  

I also cannot overstate the guff my family gives me about it.  Mostly it's well-deserved, for some of the questions are pretty random.

Tonight we joined in a family google gaggle session.  As we were getting ready to hang up Ty said (in his Jane Payne imitation voice), "Before we say good bye I think we should all go around the circle and say something that we appreciate about Mom."

Abe making reference to an old supper-table question, said, "I think we should all go around the tell her what fruit she reminds us of, too."

Oh ho.  Their answers made me laugh:

Calvin said, "I get to start!  I get to start!  Janey Payney is tootie-fruity.  Definitely tootie-fruity.  She's a combination for sure." 

Michelle went next and said, "You are grapes. People rarely share apples, oranges, or even grapefruits. But grapes are a great fruit to share. That way the sweetness isn't just experienced by one person, it's experienced by many. Jane's sweetness is experienced by many."

Ty followed.  "You are a banana.  When I was little and you packed a banana in my lunch, I would eat my sandwich and it would taste like a banana.  When I ate my chips, they would taste like a banana.  When I ate my cookies, they would taste like a banana.  Everything tasted like a banana.  Bananas have powerful influence on those things that are close to them.  They share their qualities with those around them.  You have had a powerful influence on each of us in the family and on countless other lives.  You share the qualities you have with others.  That is why you are a banana.  Thanks for being such a powerful influence for good in so many peoples' lives."

Grace said, "I think you're like a banana too, because they are good year round just like you and they are always dependably good."

Abe said, "I think you're like a tomato. 'Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.' You're all full of good wisdom."

Cali said, "I was going to say banana, too.  Sometimes you get a good apple and sometimes you get a mushy one.  Sometimes you get a good orange and sometimes you get a sour one, but bananas are the same no matter what.  That's how you are.  You are the same no matter what.  You are dependable."

Ray said, "You are like a potato.  I know potatoes aren't fruits, but you think they are . . . or at least that they should be."  Later he added that I am like cherries, something about the sweet ones at the top. 

(Joe was gone on business.)

Ande said, "This isn't a fruit either, but you're an egg.  You always need one.  You are a staple."

And there you have it; my eulogy wrapped up in a fruit bowl.  At the dinner after my funeral I hope they serve fruit salad . . . and potato salad with lots of eggs in it. 

I'm one lucky mom and I know; I'm so grateful to be a mother in today's world.