Dear Lili,
When we moved into this old brownstone apartment the first thing I noticed was the gigantic mulberry tree outside. Each summer it bears tremendous amounts of fruit which litter the front small garden and also the popular sidewalk outside. Each spring/summer kids literally hang from the branches to reach the ripest fruit. Men and women in business suits to and from their way home from the subway sneak in a few handfuls of mulberries for themselves. For city living it is a wonderful and amazing summer image. I love it.
Usually around this time of year I feel guilty about not having more green for you (and me) to run around in on the hottest of days. Instead we find clever ways to bring you the summer we more or less grew up with – running through sprinklers (in the public park), picking dandelions (at the zoo) and splashing around in a kiddie pool – even if it means running buckets of water up and down several flights of stairs until we fill it up.
The mulberry tree has been a great addition to our summer traditions. Each time we pass the tree you say, “BERRIS” and point frantically. Then you saying, “HELPING?” meaning you want to help me pick them on your own and not have them fed to you. We stand and eat for a few minutes. Your mouth and hands are stained in black juice as well as many of your clothes which I am trying to be less and less uptight about. The utter joy on your face as we do this makes us so happy and also puts a smile on the faces of people passing us by.
We love you.
xo
