Huckleberries. They are more than just berries. They are huckleberry pies, and huckleberry cheesecake. They are huckleberry/raspberry jam. There is none better. They are free, except for the cost of getting to them and the time taken to pick them. They are good times spent with family in the mountains. They are time spent discussing the deeper things of the Kingdom with my brother. They are memories of my parents working together to provide winter treats for their children. They are memories of stained fingers as well as stained jeans from sliding around the hillside on our rear ends. They are long hours alone in the forest contemplating the Creator and the things of eternity. They are happy smiles from friends and neighbors who receive a token of our love in the form of a gift of a bag of huckleberries. They are a steady stream of questions from huckleberry fans who are less familiar with where they are located. They are aching bones and joints after a long day picking in the mountains. They are happy smiles of grand kids both as pickers and as they taste a bowl full of huckleberries covered with sugar and cream. They are huckleberry ice cream and huckleberry cobbler. They are memories shared by parents of huckleberry picking excursions by by families and even community in years long past. They are fond memories of my dog, River, sitting near me as I picked. and eating the berries as fast as possible. They are the memories of huckleberry "tootsie rolls" on the lawn left there by River after a day with me on the huckleberry hill. They are quietness, except for the breeze in the trees and the buzzing of the bees. They are legends of misplaced/lost berries which were so valuable that the picker went back into the mountains for two or more days on horseback in search of his lost bucket of huckleberries. They are quiet reminders of God's great love for his children and the other creatures of His creation. They are also reminders that the good things of life should not be taken for granted as they are not always plentiful. They are the satisfaction of a store of huckleberries in the freezer stored a way in anticipation of a happy day yet to come. They are teachers of gratitude and persistence. They are improved eyesight because of the nutrients they contain among other benefits.They are huckleberry pancakes and huckleberry syrup and huckleberry shakes, and huckleberry chocolates. They are adventures with a bunch of boy scouts. The are disappointment after tripping in the brush and spilling the berries you've already picked. They are memories of horse flies and deer flies.. They are humility, knowing Who created them and Why. I could go on, but it sufficeth to say that huckleberries are way more than just berries. They are so precious that the saying: "I am/you are my/your huckleberry!" has become a part of the vernacular and means You are the best! Or I'm the best person you could get for the task at hand." It is a superlative. The Best. With all these thoughts rolling around in my mind it's a wonder I am able to pick two and a half gallons in a day, which I did this past week.
I am grateful to live where the huckleberries grow.
I am grateful to live where the huckleberries grow.
