“Hello, David! Can I come in?” Sarah called out, her voice filled with anticipation.

David opened the door with a warm smile. “Of course, Sarah. Come on in.”

Sarah entered David’s cozy living room and settled herself on a cushioned chair, placing her basket on the table. It was filled with small wild strawberries. She took a deep breath and began her tale.

“David, you won’t believe the day I’ve had!” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. “We went strawberry picking, and it was the best day ever, and I brought you some strawberries!”

“Thank you, Sarah!, These look like they will go nicely with my morning oatmeal.” David leaned back in his chair, eager to hear more. “Tell me more about your day, Sarah.”

Sarah grinned and started recounting the adventure. “Our neighbor an’ us packed a picnic, and headed to the fields way out back of our house down a dirt road, by the logging roads. It is the perfect spot for strawberry picking, and we spent the entire day basking in the sunshine.”

David nodded, envisioning the joyous scene. “Sounds like a lot of fun! What else did you do?””

She continued, her voice animated with excitement. “We spent hours under the warm sun, plucking juicy strawberries from the plants. There was plenty for everyone, and the baskets were filled in no time.”

David chuckled softly, picturing the scene in his mind. “It sounds like a wonderful gathering, Sarah. I wish I could have joined you. What will you do with all those strawberries?”

Sarah’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, we have so many plans! My Mumma will make strawberry rhubarb jam, which is absolutely delicious. We saved a little extra for breakfast, too.”

She leaned forward, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret family recipe. “But my favorite treat is the strawberries in milk. Mumma fills a tall glass with fresh milk, sprinkles in some sugar, and then drop in the strawberries. I eat them with a spoon.”

David smiled warmly. “That sounds like a delightful summer treat, Sarah. But what did you do when you weren’t picking strawberries?”

Sarah beamed. “It was so much fun! We had a picnic and spent the whole day there. When it got too hot, my mum said we could go swimming in the stream nearby. We even brought salt to get rid of those leeches that cling to our legs. The boys, though, liked to keep them and throw them in the fire at home, just to watch them pop!””

David laughed, imagining the boys’ mischievous antics. “That must have been quite a sight!”

Sarah continued, “I screamed when I saw some on me, and my sisters had to chase me around with the salt shaker!”

David chuckled. “Oh, those leeches can be quite clingy, can’t they? But it was still fun?”

Sarah nodded eagerly. “It was! And when I get bored of picking strawberries, I gather wild roses. The thorns sometimes prick my fingers, but their scent was so warm and comforting.”

She paused, a wistful look crossing her face. “Mumma puts the wild roses in a vase on our kitchen table, and their fragrance fills the room. It is magical.”

David listened intently, captivated by Sarah’s enthusiasm. “It sounds like you had a beautiful day, Sarah. Full of sweet treats, family gatherings, and lovely memories.”

Sarah beamed, her joy evident. “Yes, David! It was a day I’ll never forget. “

David nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. “Memories are precious, Sarah. You need to write that in the journal I gave you. Hold onto those memories dearly, for they bring warmth to the coldest of days.”

Sarah nodded in agreement, making a note to write a poem as soon as she got home.

And with that, Sarah and David sat together, basking in the warmth of shared memories, and sipping tea.

Strawberry Picking

Fields of green, summer gleams,
we venture out in joyful dreams,
to pick the fruits nature yields,
treasures found in strawberry fields.

baskets brimming, hearts alight,
gather ‘neath the sun’s golden light,
feast of flavors, rich pure,
taste of summer we adore.

Strawberries, crimson bright,
Dipped in sugar, sweet delight,
A glass of milk, they gently sway,
memories never fade away.

We sip on milk, strawberries to spoon,
A joyful treat in afternoon.
Strawberry rhubarb jam, to create,
Preserving sweetness we appreciate,

The memories woven deep,
strawberry fields, forever we’ll keep,
joy in moments, pure and true,
in simple things, both me and you.