Hello, dear community! I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying your plants this week. Here in the Philippines. We’ve been having a lovely mix of sunshine in the morning and gentle rain in the afternoon and our gardens are soaking up all the goodness. Today, I’m excited to share a special story about a fruit tree that has finally given us its first fruits, our beloved Wax Apple or tambis.
Five years ago, during our wedding, my God parents gave us a small wax apple seedling as her gift. It was simple, humble and easy to overlook compared to the other present we received. But she told us something I still remember clearly: “A tree is a gift that grows with your marriage. Take care of it and someday it will bless you back.” I didn’t fully understand the dept of that message at the time.
We planted it in our yard near the road, hoping it would survive. It started as a thin stem with just a few leaves. Every now and then, I wondered if it would grow at all. It grew slowly at first because some mischievous goats had nibbed on it! It also endured storms, scorching heat and long dry days. There were times I doubted if it would ever fruit. But year after year, we continued tow after it, trim it and care for it, even on days when it felt like nothing was happening.
Then this year, something changed.
One morning, I stepped outside and noticed small pinkish-red fruits hanging from the branches. After five long years, our tambis tree finally bore fruit for the very first time. I stood there in disbelief for a moment, then felt a warm sense of gratitude. There is something so magical about seeing a plant you’ve cared for slowly transform into something full of life.
The fruits were small, but they were beautiful – shiny, smooth and perfectly formed. While harvesting them. I couldn’t help bit think of my God parent. If she were near, I would have gladly given her some of the fruits to show her how her gift has grown. I know she would be happy to see that the plant she entrusted to us has finally produced its first harvest.
We tasted the was apples right away. They were crisp, juicy and light sweet just the way tambis should be. The flavor brought me back to childhood days of picking fruits straight from the trees and enjoying the, with friend. Simple moments, but full of meaning.
Caring for this tree taught me something important growth takes time. Some blessings arrived quietly and slowly, but when the right moment comes, they bloom beautifully. This wax apple tree is more than just a plant. It’s a reminder of patience to wait and the unexpected joy that comes from nurturing something over the years.
Thank your for reading my story. I’m truly happy to share this special moment with all of you here. See you in my next fruit tree to harvest. This is my owned picture, edited in Canva.