The Emotions of Strawberry Picking

Yesterday, we decided to join our friends on their yearly visit to the local farm for u-pick strawberries.  I think I can safely declare that it is indeed Spring, even if the calendar says otherwise. It was a glorious day with temperatures is the mid 70’s!  (Northern friends, you won’t be hating me so much when late summer heat and humidity has us Southerners running for cover.)

It quite a day.  The Boy ran around and played with friends, and The Girl and I picked berries.

It was a whirlwind sort of day.  Busy and fun.  Happy and productive.  Exhausting and satisfying.

Here’s how I felt throughout the day:

…stress from hurrying out the door to get there on time.  We were still late.  My get-up-and-out-the-door mojo is gone now that we are homeschooling!

…pride, as I managed to not get lost on the way to the farm.

…joy, at the glorious and warm Spring day it was.

…wonder, at the glorious sight of so many beautiful sun-ripened fruits.

…happiness, when The Girl said to me, “Mom, this is fun!”

…disbelief, when I discovered that the total for my 23 pounds of berries came to $57!

…regret, when I saw how much work I had ahead of me.

…fatigue, when I was up to my eyeballs in strawberries.

…relief, that I had started a pot of chili before we left, and did not have to cook dinner.

…satisfaction, that I made three batches of strawberry jam, totalling twenty-two jars!

Who knew strawberries could bring forth so many emotions?  I’m imagining a cold winter day in the future in which I will open a jar of this jam and taste a beautiful Spring day.