I will never taste an apple like that again. The wild apples of my youth that harbor so many fond memories.

You see, I grew up in a city where fruit trees grew wild. We would wander the neighborhood alleys in search of the treasures of those trees.

Years and years ago some new home owner had planted cherry or apple trees, and nurtured by decades of Autumn rain and Summer sun, those trees had grown and matured, and every year would yield their magical bounty.

One day we searched far from home and then we saw a vision. Perched high up in the tallest branches of the biggest tree we had ever seen were 4 huge apples-untouched by human hands.

My friend, he said, "not me. You go first. That tree's too big for me!"

No stranger to a dare I began to climb from branch to weathered branch. I stopped to rest and saw my friend following close behind. I smiled and waited and we climbed together high up from the ground.

Then we were there and found our prize. Four big red apples just for us and we pulled them from the branch.

Not perfectly round, with a worm hole on one side, but the aroma was a Heaven scent.
No sprays, no powder, no factory shine-just a glow from Mother Natures' smile.

We perched up high that Summer day and bite into our apples. WOW! The sugar-charged nectar ran down our chins.

The apples were crisp and cool, and inside, the color of fresh fallen snow. The taste was like no other. I remember that time so well. The glory days of youth.

So what is the healthiest fruit of all?

Those apples I think. They forged our friendships. All the fruit trees that skinned our knees and scrapped our arms. That made us strong and kept us out in the sun.

That gave us courage and self-confidence and fed our hearts and souls.

The harvest of our youth.

Learn more about this author, Ray Fauteux.
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