08/01/2020
My Pappy used to love a certain kind of tomato called an Ox Heart Tomato. He would get so excited about his tomatoes each summer- making a simple sandwich of white bread, mayo and his fresh grown tomato.
As a child I never liked tomatoes. I would wrinkle my nose at his sandwich and he would call me a "sneak". I never understood "the fuss". I didn't yet appreciate his wonder in the simple pleasures this life has to offer... atleast not that of a tomato. "Wunderbar" was a word he did not teach me until much later in life over shared fauschnauts. But wonder... over gardens, and sunshine, and growing and eating good things like tomatoes... wonder was a practice that he taught us all in deed from an early age by the way he lived. He was not one for fancy words or sentiments like me- but he most authentically taught our family to stand in wonder and gratitude for simple gifts that He gave his life to cultivating for us.
My uncle, grew this Ox Heart Tomato on the farm. I'll be making myself a simple sandwich of white bread, mayo, and tomato- and I will be sure to let out the word "wunderbar" as I enjoy it. My kids will wrinkle their noses, not understanding the fuss- but watching me delight in simple goodness... and I will know that thanks to tradition, and the simple blessings our family is collectively giving our lives to cultivate- that there will be another generation rising up to grow tomatoes and truly delight in the wonder of it all.
~Tassia