Watermelon Seeds

 

 

While threading the needle to sew Sacha's worn jeans I asked Annie if she had any tender memories of living during World War II? If there was any light in that dark passage. Anything that reminded her of beauty when life around them was so unfair and off-balance.

 

 

 

 

Annie kept her eye on the thread and needle, "Of course, there were tender moments, we had each other. Our family moved from Marseilles (which was heavily bombed) to our country house. We were lucky to have a garden, my mother planted lentils. We had plenty to eat. We exchanged food from our garden for other things we needed.

 

 

 

Annie went on to say that during that time she was barely twenty and pregnant with her first child.

"One of my activities was to walk down to the village and exchange some of our produce

for whatever my family might have needed.

 

 

 

On the other side of the village, there was a man who grew watermelons. Whenever he saw me in the village he would race back to his garden to give me one. Can you imagine how wonderful it was to have a watermelon? It was such a rare treat. They were not very big, but they were sweet, and you know I have a thing for fruit. Mon Dieu, I prefer fruit over bonbons. 

 

 

Whenever, he would give me a watermelon he would say, "This is for your baby. Your baby needs to taste sweetness." I was surrounded by such generosity. I think being pregnant brought out the best in the people around me. Seeing my big belly gave them hope, made them reflect on the wonders of life... or something like that... instead of the hardships of war."

 

 

I would lug that watermelon, the supplies I had exchanged from our produce, and my big belly to the river. The river is on the outskirt of the village, Annie's home was on the other side and up a steep hill. Then, I would sit by the plantain tree, you know the one at the end of your street, and I would crack that watermelon open, grab the heart and eat it. Funny, after all these years, I can recall the watermelon juice running down my face. It didn't bother me in the least. It was a luxury, sweet juice running down my face between my breast to my pregnant belly.

Note: This is one of my favorite stories of Annie's. When Annie she told this story I felt transported to another time when her memory was living, and her body was young and ripe. It showed me Annie and how she was full, ripe, sweet, and with many seeds of hope.

Happy Birthday, Annie.

Comments

[g]

one of my MOST FAVORITE stories.

[Melly]

I miss Annie.

Really enjoyed the stories of her through the years.

Thank you for sharing her with us. She was a treasure.

[Rachel]

Corey, thank you for Annie's story during the war....a bit of light during a difficult time. I miss Annie also.....thankful that you two had each other for the time you did. I am enjoying your grandchildren also....such precious, precious little ones.
I know you are having a difficult time being away from your mother. I hope she is healing and able to get out some. My mother also broke her pelvic bone and it just takes time to heal.
Rachel

[Liane Partridge]

❤️ 🤗 dear sweet Annie. I wish I had known her. Thank you for all of her memories through the years.

[Shelby]

What an endearing story in these trying times. Thanks for sharing Annie with us. I, too, love seeing your grandchildren grow and blossom. Chelsea & Martin must be over the moon to have such precious (gorgeous!) little ones. Makes me smile right now thinking of them.

[Susan in Zurich]

A wonderful story, lovely memory of your dear friend.
Happy heavenly birthday to Annie

[jackie]

Love, love, love Annie...

[Jennifer Phillipps]

I remember that lovely story well and could almost visualise her struggling along with everything to carry, including a baby and plopping down to devour that watermelon...I just hope someone in Ukraine will be given a juicy watermelon or something similarly luscious to eat to keep them going through all this hideous trauma...thanks Annie for your life story... Jennie, NZ

[Jeanne]

Annie I love her stories and all that you share of this wonderful friend you had for years.
God bless her eternity and we all feel we know her through you.
Much love and thank you for all you share on your blog
Much love
Jeanne

[Denise]

Love this story and all others of Annie. I often think of her when I smell roses. How sweet it is to know someone I never knew, through your stories

[Teddee Grace]

I can tell you still miss her and your friendship. What a wonderful gift that was.

[Kathy]

I so love this story, Corey. What a blessing to have known Annie. So many fond and lovely memories.
Thanks for sharing the sweetness.

[Darles]

It's a beautiful story 💜

[judyo]

I remember that story. What a blessing that you found each other. Sweet Annie❤️

[marilyn]

How precious Annie's friendship was for you and those around her.
I remember this story, but love hearing it again.

[Gina L]

I love to hear her stories. So many tender moments would have been lost and not shared if it weren't for YOU! A dear friend and custodian of such tales.

[Jenifer Delson]

Sigh, this is so lovely, so descriptive of a pregnant young woman, carrying a baby in the time of war, and how that image gave those around her hope. Thank you Corey. You and Annie were such warm friends.