When I was s little girl I loved , what was to me exotic fruit, that we only had at Christmas.
To me the most exciting and tasty was the date. Now there was not the choice we have today we always had the common date from the date palm the Delget Nour which looked like these.
Image from here
Now these dates have a long narrow stone with an O in the middle of it. Probably this O is to do with the stem or the stork and how the fruit grows on the palm. That is the logical and scientific answer but my father told me a story when I was little and I prefer to believe what he told me.
Image from here
If you look closely at the dates stones in the the photo you will see that those which are placed the right way up you can see the O .
Well back to the story that Dad told me. “When Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem Mary had a craving for something sweet. She told Joseph and he was dismayed to have to tell here there was nothing he could give her. They moved on a little way and came to some date trees. Joseph picked some dates for Mary and she delightedly said Oh! because they were moist and sweet! Just what she wanted! ” So my Dad told me that was the reason there is always an O on the stone of the date.
Well I love my Dad’s story and I told it to all my children and if I ever get the chance I shall tell my grandson too!
Image from here
This is part LindaGHill‘s Stream of Consciousness Saturday.This week Linda’s prompt was :Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “date.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
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Author: willowdot21
Female, wife, full time mother and Grandmother. I am not as happy go lucky as I used to be but I am still bubbling along on simmer! I have three handsome sons all grown and flown.The youngest married with a beautiful wife and two sons of his own. Back in 2010 I was working, running a home, driving and socializing then bang in a split second all that was gone. I had an accident at home. I broke my back, not for the first time, I had broken it 10 years previously as well. Unfortunately this time I had broken it really badly and it was truly messed up so I had to have two operations. I was told before each operation that the outcome could mean I spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Still as some guy once wrote "I am still standing " yes "better than I ever was " I no longer use the walking stick . I had lots of friends before the accident but when things like this happen, you loose most of them. Their lives move on and mine stood still and so they left me behind ...I know that is just the way life is but it hurt and always will. Then I looked around and saw those who were still there for me, these friends are the roses in my garden they need to be tended well. They are the diamonds in the dust. I will of been married 53yrs this comming year. I have found different ways to approach life, use my pain befriend it almost...yer right , well that is what they tell me at the pain clinic ROFLMAO ...... if only I could! I have found an outlet for my fears, frustrations and night terrors . I have started writing poetry if that name can be applied to my writing. I hope I do not come over as a moaning winger. I hope I am past all that. I also hope that you might see how the poetry is moving from very dark through the grey and hopefully in to light.
My back is no longer straight it is C shaped because of the injury and I have lost two and a half inches in height but my Pilates and Core teachers have helped me to stand up as straight and be as strong as possible. Pain and depression are still hanging on my arm but I have weapons to use against them and if I say so myself I cope well.
I have made lots of new friends, real diamonds. I am also very grateful for all the support and help I have encountered here on Wordpress. Hugs and welcome to everyone who visits.
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willowdot21 
What a sweet story. I love Deglet Nour, it comes from one of my countries, Tunisia.
Yes a lovely date but I think my favourite is the Majool . xxxx
I like Kholas and Khidri now. In time I have come to recognise that this region too can have fantastic dates
I love all types of dates!
Right you are. They’re full of energy and fibre
Apparently dates are very good for us!
Yes they are
😎
Wonderful story Willow.
Thanks Paul it is all true!
What a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing 🙂
It’s funny what we remember from childhood!😊
How delightful. I eat lot’s of dates over here and love them 🙂
They are very good for you! 😊
I have to admit that the dates you describe are a favourite of mine especially at Christmas but they have since been replaced with a very nice date from Iran, very soft and last ages. I try to get them from our local market then keep them in the fridge next to the cheese ready to be taken http://www.exportersindia.com/arya-world-trust-co/mazafati-dates-shahani-dates-iran–islamic-republic-of–582056.htm
I used to eat them at Iftar, after the Ramadan fast and bought a huge box back from Mecca one year
Oh! They look amazing I shall have to look for those!
I’m hoping to get some when they come in next month
I remember having those dates as well Willow. I love that story that your dad told you about the o. 🙂
They are still around now. They were the exotic part of Christmas!
Yes, they certainly were 🙂
😊
Cute story, definitely worth passing down 🙂
I love dates too.
One of the fruits (dates are fruits, right?) I haven’t tried. Now I’m inspired!
They are delicious! My favourite ones are Majool but the ones I mention are called Delget Nour they are lovely too!
I haven’t had these in a very long time, Looks yummers 🙂
I do love dates!
Oh what a wonderful memory of your Dad and I too love his story!! 🙂
Dad was full of stories!😊
Maybe you could share more. 🙂
Share more what? dates 🙂
No, share more of your father’s stories… 🙂
Sorry I was teasing, I might do 😊
Ooops hee hee 😊
As an aside Willow, I did guest post over at Mark Bialczak’s https://markbialczak.com/2016/08/21/harry/ If you have time to drop by, I would be honored. Thank You
Keep the coffee hot I will be there later!
I remember these date delights from my Childhood, Willow. Certainly being back good memories. There was always a box of them at Christmas; never at any other time of the year. A bit like the tangerine. Only ever saw them at Christmas and always found one at the bottom of my Christmas stocking along with a few nuts! How things have changed.
Oh, yes things have changed , there were Christmas treats, and Easter treats but now it is just the every day. Sad really there is nothing magical , no once a year treat for the youngsters these days!!
Very true, Willow, although I do enjoy my treat of watching ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ on Dec 23rd since it came out on DVD. I know I could watch it at any time of the year but it’s the movie that always kicks off Christmas for me.
We have to have some traditions to make life make sense🤗
We used to have dates stuffed with cream cheese and walnut at Christmas. That’s a lovely story – thanks!
I loved stuffed dates too, I am glad you liked the story!