Crazy for berries

July. The red raspberries are ready. My favorite summer treasure. When I first discovered them, I was mesmerised. I think it was the summer before third grade. We had lots of them on our property, and I would pick for hours. My mom made jam, and pies, and I was hooked. Something about going out, and filling my McDonald's happy meal bucket up with ripe berries was made me so happy. The smell. I will never forget that smell of warm ripe berries, getting hot in the sun. It never bothered me to wear long pants in the heat. I loved getting those berries.

The summer before fifth grade, I got my first job...picking berries! There was a farm about a 1/4 mile away from our house. Every morning, I would get on my bike, ride down there and pick. I would lay on my side, or back, because that is how you get the best ones, you know. They are big, and ripe, hiding behind leaves and thorns. I got paid 25 cents a pint, and that first summer, I think I made $3oo.oo! I loved that job.

We have some red raspberries on our land, but not enough to make a pie, or jam. We do have a farm down the road, where you can get some delicious ones.

Every morning we are out early. Watching Anna pick the berries brings me back. She goes deep in the thicket, is so patient and proud. Sometimes she will pick for over an hour.

Sometimes, while we are out playing, I lose sight of her, then I remember...she is in the berry patch.

That's my daughter.

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