Of Cranes and Apples

Of cranes and apples

I was plucking apples this morning. Years ago someone had the thoughtfulness to plant some apple trees on our nature strip and every year I go and reap the fruit of their ingenuity and foresight.

I’m not sure exactly when the trees were planted but they are fully grown now so probably it was some decades ago. I shall always be grateful for their hard work and vision. There was also an element of selflessness. They would have realised that they may never get to enjoy the fruit themselves. That it would be future generations in the 2020s that got to go ‘Munch Munch, Yum Yum.’

Coincidentally there is a seriously big crane in the churchyard at the moment and work is continuing apace to repair and solidify our massive steeple. We are deeply appreciative to all those who have made this work possible but again, it is future generations that will be able to look back on our minute books and photos and say ‘Boy! They really gave it a red hot go didn’t they?'

All this ‘hidden work’ for future generations got me thinking. What kind of legacy am I leaving behind? As a priest, husband, father and member of our community.

Will future generations congratulate me or curse me? It’s worth doing a bit of a stock take with this. The legacy we leave behind is important. It’s why the conservation and enhancement of our precious island planet are essential. Scientists may wax lyrical about setting up colonies on other planets but would I really want to live there?

So three cheers for our forefathers who built our magnificent church and planted apple trees on the nature strip.  Can you see the ‘cranes and apples’ around you?