“Ripeness is all.” This phrase from King Lear meant very little to me when I was young. I thought it might just be saying that the goal should be to live as long as possible and die “full of years”, as the Bible puts it. But as I have meandered through the decades, its nuances have matured, as surely as fruit ripens to a mellow sweetness. I now realise that “ripeness” suggests more than simply physical age. It’s really about the depth of our life experience, the wisdom we accrue from the pains and struggles, the grief and growing. Soul ripeness is not given to everyone. In fact, it isn’t “given” at all. One needs to stretch oneself, embrace the unexpected, willingly embrace the bitter, the difficult, the bad weather human society rains upon us daily.
Now, sliding gratefully through the ageing process, I find myself brimful of grand memories, joyous relationships, hopeful plans. I am a ripe plum full of juicy tales to tell, insights to share. Im ready to go, and if I should fall from the tree tomorrow, breaking free of all earthly ties, I can only hope I leave behind something good for others, some essence that generates new thought, new beauty, new energy.
“Ripeness is all.” This phrase from King Lear meant very little to me when I was young. I thought it might just be saying that the goal should be to live as long as possible and die “full of years”, as the Bible puts it. But as I have meandered through the decades, its nuances have matured, as surely as fruit ripens to a mellow sweetness. I now realise that “ripeness” suggests more than simply physical age. It’s really about the depth of our life experience, the wisdom we accrue from the pains and struggles, the grief and growing. Soul ripeness is not given to everyone. In fact, it isn’t “given” at all. One needs to stretch oneself, embrace the unexpected, willingly embrace the bitter, the difficult, the bad weather human society rains upon us daily.
Now, sliding gratefully through the ageing process, I find myself brimful of grand memories, joyous relationships, hopeful plans. I am a ripe plum full of juicy tales to tell, insights to share. Im ready to go, and if I should fall from the tree tomorrow, breaking free of all earthly ties, I can only hope I leave behind something good for others, some essence that generates new thought, new beauty, new energy.
Plum clafouti
My dear friend Marguerite would accept a small bowl of these beauties and transform them into a warm, fragrant, delicious clafouti.
I miss you Marguerite; those chats over tea looking out to your garden and many birds visiting. 🙏