I had insisted that he come outside to see what remained of our 23-year-old fig tree. My parents planted the fig tree in the mid-'90s. I assumed that my fig tree would always be lush and beautiful and there to give me a sense of hope and rest. “Okay, you can plant a new fig tree.” In an African household that was the closest I would get to a parental apology. I did eventually buy a little fig tree in a container.

Source: Washington Post December 14, 2020 15:00 UTC