Memories

As I struggle through each day and beg God to help me get things right...and then more things right, at some point while doing something as simple as slicing a grapefruit I let go. I slip away to my childhood and I'm watching my dad carefully section a grapefruit for me while humming in a baritone murmur. He holds the blade like an artist working on a sculpture. He stops and tips his chin to the side and tests the blade. He purses his bottom lip and nods judiciously and finishes with precision. He meticulously places the final product in a bowl with a spoon and presents it with both hands. Never hurrying, just devoting his all to something for me. I receive it casually and he wrinkles his forehead incredulously as I dump sugar on his careful offering. Then I'm back and Hazel is asking me to feed her each bite. I'm scooping the sections out and she's gobbling them down without stopping for breath. Her smile engulfs me and she asks me to squeeze what's left in her cup. And I'm transported again and I see his strong brown forearm flex as he squeezes every last drop.