The Trees He Left Behind

Daniel planted four young trees the spring before he and Claire were married. Three were apple trees, and the fourth was a struggling pear tree he brought home because he could not leave something in need of help behind. Over the years, the trees became part of the family. Daniel taught his son Ben how to care for them, explaining that pruning meant removing what would not serve the whole. When Ben was nine, Daniel told him, “These trees will keep feeding you, even when I’m gone.” He died twelve days before the harvest… CONTINUE READING

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