Image: “Fruit Pickers Harvesting Under the Mango Tree,” by Fernando Amorsolo in 1939
Proverb: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
You know I was born in a very different time. My mother would often say, ‘You were very young at the time so I don’t expect you’ll remember much.’
She had a way of understating things.
We shared the news, assassinations, Popes, Prime ministers
She would greet me each morning with the news over night.
We had a wireless, the newspaper and a lot of gossip.
My mum was happy with that.
Our home was safe, cocooned as we were
In a tiny place far enough from Sydney for it to be a vast distance away.
My parents were greatly influential on me.
Education was important, as was a love of sport.
Both qualities I still have today.
My father was a man who worked hard, prayed daily and took us to church each Sunday.
To me as a child he seemed remote. He rarely played with us.
Years later he lightened up, became the most loved grandad,
Attained wisdom, became our greatest support.
My aunt told me much about my mum’s mother.
She died when I was nine. My memories of her are fleeting.
Both my grandmothers were gentle and generous
I’d like to think I have some of those qualities.
I am told I am like my dad, in looks and personality.
I am remote myself, I live alone, as did he after mum died.
Dad was happy to be on his own, he never sought company,
Other than his children, grandchildren and an argumentative neighbour.
In later life he welcomed me as his carer, someone to cook and care for him.
Luckily we lived together well,
He lived a lot of his life through me
Told me about the war, revealed his vulnerabilities at his life’s end.
We are the product of our upbringing; some people have better ones than others
Mine was what it was, in hindsight ignorance is bliss
But education is eye opening.
Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/writing-prompt-90-proverb-january-18-2015/
Morpethroad 
Yes .. we are what we are and our past is our past … but still so many things happen that take us far from under the tree.
Absolutely Georgia. Thanks so much for your comment.
I enjoyed reading this, Michael, you may take after your father but I seem to see that gentleness from you mum and grandmothers perhaps…
Yes Cheryl-Lynn I think so too. Thank you for reading I found this prompt challenging.
Yes but it seems fun…the apple tree one seems challenging for me but perhaps later this week
I definitely think you have inherited gentleness from your grandmothers and you also have a fantastic sense of humor! I got ADD from my mom it would seem. She also loves reading but not the same kind of books she likes Harlequin Romance
Humour? Me? I think that’s from both parents. My dad certainly liked a good joke.
We don’t fall far from the tree, at times we don’t even leave the branch. Nicely written Michael.
Thank you Jenny. You think some of us stay up the tree?
Either that or the fruit doesn’t drop…
Well I can say the fruit dropped.
We are all a product of genetics, environment, and upbringing. But I like to think we have a bit of our own to bring to it too. Education not only opens the eyes, it opens the mind.
Thanks so true Jackie, and education certainly opened my eyes to so much.
I didn’t fall far from the familial tree, though I feel a bit bruised from landing.
A wonderful homage to your family.
Thank you and I have to take you at your word. Though I have detected a few soft spots on you…..
Very nice write, Michael. I am a little bit my mom and a little bit my dad and a little bit of all the people in their lines but mostly the I’m the me I’ve grown into and I kind of finally like her.
Thanks Debi, that’s a lovely way to see yourself. In the end we are who we are.
I loved this piece and inspired I decided to give it a shot.
Great I shall go and have a read.