The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

A dear friend of mine has passed on. Sometimes before he passed when we sat talking he would pick up an apple and pull out his pocket knife. He would quietly look down at the apple and begin peeling. Carefully he peeled, just under the skin. This was important so as not to waste any.

Our talking would dwindle down as he went slowly around the apple, so slowly, never breaking the peeling. We would almost stop talking completely, by the time he got near the end. Our total attention focused on the skinning of the apple and whether or not he would break the skinny, red peeling. Most of the time, he did not. When he finished one, long, curly apple peeling would drop onto the table.

Then he would grin and give it to me to inspect, and eat. As I turned it over in my hands, I thought, this is neat. But I also thought, how silly. To put so much effort into peeling an apple. What is so special about getting the peeling to come off all in one piece? I began to wonder.

I came to realize as I quietly watched him peel an apple with a pocket knife I was learning to slow down and not be in such a hurry: to take time to enjoy the little things in life, or life at all, for that matter, to find joy in the small blessings and not take them for granted, to be quiet and listen.

I was subconsciously impressed to be careful at what I do and to be patient. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right. Realize good things come to those who wait.

I also learned to not be wasteful and try not to break things. Stay connected. Links are important. Spend time with those you love. Eat healthy and always keep a pocket knife handy. Sometimes I try to peel an apple and not break the peeling. I have yet to master the art. Can you?