「 讓我們接受樹木也有不開花結果的時候,然後期待那天可再採摘果實之時。」
— Anton Chekhov
“Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time we may pick the fruit.” — Anton Chekhov
去年這個時候,當我們的蘋果樹和櫻桃樹開始含蕾待放時,連續出現了幾天無情的強風和暴雨。太柔嫩而脆弱,無法承受兇猛的力量,大部分輕軟細膩的花瓣被狂風掃落,碎屑般散落於草上,滿蓋在地上,而我們也只能傷心地看著。不用說,那年我們並沒有什麼蘋果和櫻桃的收穫。我先生因為我們失去了一個豐收的季節而安慰我,我反過來跟他說,只要我們的樹還站著,它們會再次開花的。」
果然,它們真的回來了! 12 個月之後,它們再次燦爛地綻放著美麗的花朵!在這場極度破壞性的疫情中,它們給我們帶來了許多喜悅,信心和希望。
This time last year, when our apple and cherry trees were starting to come into blossom, there came a few days of mercilessly strong winds and pelting rains. Too tender and too fragile to withstand the ferocious elements, most of the soft and delicate petals were blown off and scattered like debris all over the lawn, covering the grounds, while we watched sadly. Needless to say, we didn’t get a good harvest of apples and cherries that year. My husband tried to comfort me over the loss of a fruitful season, but I reassured him as long as our trees are still standing they would bloom again.
So they have! 12 months later, they are blooming beautifully again! They give us so much joy, confidence and hope, amidst this devastating crisis.