The Fig Tree

Who would have known that a fig tree means home to someone? This conversation took place between my husband and I recently. A year ago we moved to Alberta, purchased a house, and had been exploring how to beautify the garden area. Over the course of the last year I have asked my husband what special shrub or fruit tree we could plant. The answer was repeatedly a "fig tree" and my response was "there is no way it would grow in Alberta."

For some reason last week something triggered a deeper conversation about this. I learned that the "fig tree" did not necessarily mean we should grow a fig tree. The fig tree had a symbolic meaning and represented "home". I wonder if the fig tree symbolism stems from his Italian heritage, his many visits to Italy, his love for dried figs, or something else? Whatever the case may be, a fig tree holds a significant meaning to my husband.

Three important points came up for me from this fig tree conversation. For one, I need to ask more questions in order to reach deeper conversations with people. Second, what represents home for me? Lastly, in a world where there is so much movement, urban sprawl, expansion, and loss of rural identity, what do rural residents need in order to have something to symbolize home?

Home to me is not a place, but a sense of space; a space where I FEEL at home. A space where I can be myself, create a sanctuary, and people can visit without appointments.

How can rural communities have a sense of space and home when the face and essence of rural communities are dissolving? Perhaps maintaining the rural connections with one another will help; resisting the treadmill, but still keeping current; be proud and embrace the rural roots; and share the passion with others about what it means to be rural.

Finding the "fig tree" in your backyard may look different to your neighbour's. But, perhaps in re-connecting with our own "fig tree" we will discover that "home is where the heart is".