Last week I opened my front door to find a 20-pound box of California-grown mandarin oranges on my porch. You see, I’m from Northern California — a west coast woman, born and raised. And to be more precise, I’m from Placer County, a hefty chunk of land which extends from the foothills east of Sacramento all the way up to Lake Tahoe and the Nevada border.
My childhood home (where my family still lives), is nestled right at the very base of the foothills. And every year in late fall, on the main road just up the hill from our house, the mandarin stands start to pop up. They are usually nothing more than folding tables aching under the weight of dozens of 10- and 20-pound boxes, or well-worn flatbed trucks trucks loaded high with citrus bounty. And every year, we overbuy these delicious treats so that we may bear them as gifts wherever we go (not to mention horde some for ourselves).
Since I left California what feels like years ago (but is really just two and a half), there are three things I miss acutely: 1) My friends and family, 2) My favorite sushi restaurant, and 3) My yearly dose of vitamin C in the form of these sweet mandarins. In an effort to lure me home, my mother regularly supplies me with reminders of my old stomping grounds, which is why that box (now near half empty) was delivered to me last week.
And since Thanksgiving just came and went, I thought I’d share with you something that I’m thankful for. No, not the mandarins. Rather I am thankful for a caring family, who manages to make me feel loved and important no matter how far away I am.
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! What were you thankful for?
by Molly
no comments