A fathers gift to a son

My Dad owned 5 acres of apple trees. He had inherited it from his dad when he died. He told us kids, the orchard helped him understand politics, another of his passions. He would spend hours arguing the issues of the day with anyone who gave him their ear. His term on the city council was one tumultuous year. The old guard fought him on many issues, yet with city wide support, many of the changes he brought to the floor passed. He did not run again after his first term. He told us he has another calling, to be sure we learned the lessons of the orchard. I fought him for much of those years he asked for our involvement in the orchard. I had many more important things to do. I never loved the orchard like dad. Every year, fruit harvested was the best tasting fruit anyone could remember. He sold out the first day it was picked.

Now I am active politically. My goal to win a position as a state representative. Dad told me it wasn't too late to learn politics from the orchard beginning with the experience of pruning. This was hard for me to believe. I loved dad, so decided I would help him prune his orchard,now abligatory on my part. My dad loved to lecture. I hoped our conversation would be more generic than lectured, not only one sided. I hope dad discovers I am worthy of his vote. Dad always said if any of his kids were to run for office, his vote had to be earned. He hasn't made a final decision on my campaign. It won't stop me from running if he were to decide another was a better candidate. After all, fathers and sons usually clash about something.

I arrived at the orchard early on Saturday morning. Dad was waiting outside his car holding the tools of the trade, a saw, a clipper and tree saw. I opened my door, stepped out into the orchard path where I was met by Dad. He knew I wasn't familair with all the tools. My experience in high school was more of a rebel. no time in an orchard for sure. Dad showed me the first tree. It was huge, upwards of 60 feet tall, 100 ft in circumference. It was an old old tree with branches everywhere. Dad explained this tree is in bad shape, its fruit poor over the last few years.

Suckers, that is what he called the branches we were to cut out. Suckers are odd branches that has started growing from the base or the roots of a tree. Dad explained it is an effort by the tree to grow more branches many times as a result of stress. The goal of pruning is to remove suckers that sap the energy away from the healthier and more desirable branches. It improves the overall health of the plant.

I cut a few suckers from the tree. It wasn't dificult with the tools I had and thought I can do this but how is this going to help my political ambitions. I have to believe it is more important to enjoy the time bonding. Dad always had a knack of knowing my thoughts and when I was thinking contrary to what he was.

Son, You aren't enjoying this are you? Be honest.

I am Dad, I am enjoying this time with you Dad.

Sure Son, When is that true? We have been at odds for years. I believe you want my vote.

Dad, I that is true, I do want your support. It is important to me.

Yet you aren't able to tell me the importance of what you are doing and how it relates to what you want to do.

Dad, you told me it is to make the tree healthier. How does that help anything but the tree?

Think about the tree and what it stands for. It's purpose. Isn't the purpose of a tree to provide good fruit.

Come on Dad, it doesn't mean anything but that,

You want to be a politician and yet you don't understand. Come on Son, the tree supports the branches.

I know that Dad, this is rediculous

No it's not! The Tree is the base of the government. It is the representatives of the people whose job it is to produce good fruit. Your work is the good fruit

Ok, I will give you that, but the branches?

The branches are the work of the representatives, the legislation, the departments who do the work to provide those you represent laws so the people have the freedom to grow and create good fruit.

What about the suckers dad? They have nothing to do with anything.

Are you kidding me The suckers are legislation that weakens freedoms. They are the laws that develop new legislation that adds cost, creating big government preventing the laws that work from protecting the country's citizens. Suckers form as each representative develops their own agenda, negotiates with others for passage or adds it to other laws. Their desire is to increase their power. The tree is weakened, the fruit of keeping freedoms becomes tasteless, smaller as freedoms are taken away.

Dad, I will give you credit for this comparison. Yet to protect this countries citizens we must represent our constituents.

Are not your constituents freedoms what is important. The more you regulate, suckers, well put, don't you think. the less freedoms you have. The strongest trees are not taken over by suckers. Look at the tree we are pruning. The tree is dying. The suckers are choking its very life out of it.

So you stole the trees life by allowing the suckers to take over

No son, I had to learn the same lesson from my Mom.

Your mom, wasn't this your Dad's orchard?

Nope, My mom loved working in the orchard. It was this same tree she used to teach me my lessons. We pruned this very tree and we had great fruit for years. Before she died, she told me one day I would need this tree to teach you and your brothers a lesson. You are the only one who finally decided I wasn't crazy.

I never thought you were crazy. You have been an inspiration.

My goal is not to be an inspiration but a motivator, a teacher to help you help others. If you learn this one lesson you too will be a great representative.

I stand corrected Dad, Lets finish pruning this tree. We have an orchard left to do. I need to learn more.

I appreciate the help son and you are interested in learning more. We have a lot of work to do.....