Friday, July 3, 2009

Spitting watermelon seeds

The Fourth of July, our country's independence day, is nearly here. What comes to mind besides the anticipated fireworks, food and parades? Watermelon, and watermelon seeds.

Actually, it all goes back to my son Daniel. He was confined to the hospital July 4, 1996, getting his monthly chemo infusion. A friend brought a large watermelon when she and her mother came to visit.

Daniel was excited to have his own watermelon. We cut slices and he spit the seeds at this nearly-thirteen-year-old friend. The friend later told me she hadn't the heart to spit seeds at a cancer patient.

After we had our fill, we stored the watermelon in the bathtub in the bathroom connected to Daniel's room.

The Fourth of July will always remind me of a little bald-headed boy with an infectious laugh who loved watermelon almost as much as he loved his siblings and parents.

Daniel did not live to see another Independence Day.

2 comments:

CarlybirdH said...

That is so sweet Alice. What a little cutie pie Daniel was. God bless.

Alice. J. Wisler said...

Thanks, Carly. I miss him! The watermelon stories bring smiles. :-)