One of the finest women I’ve ever known is also the most, uhm… complex woman I’ve ever known. Now, I’d like to point out that I didn’t say “complicated” — because that gives a bit more of a negative connotation and that’s not exactly what I’m after and there is a difference between complicated and complex. To break it down in simpler terms: If I were to describe her as a fruit (I did not say “Fruitbat” so don’t read ahead), I’d have to say she’s like a pomegranate.

Now, if you were to set a pomegranate next to a coconut you’d immediately see the difference. A coconut, already a hairier looking situation, is going to be quite a bit more complicated to crack open, so much so that — even in the most civilized of circles — a hammer is involved. The pomegranate is slightly easier prospect, but still complex. You don’t necessarily have to hammer your way into her world but nonetheless, it isn’t as easy as you might think and, yeah: It can get messy.  In that regard, she’s like a pomegranate.

The lovely pomegranate takes some doing to get to all the delicious goodness that is available to you, but it’s not impossible. But it will take some work and it helps to know all of the tricks/life hacks to get to the heart of the matter.  When you do? Some of those seeds will be sweet, some will be tart or sour (often downright bitter) and darned if some won’t have any flavor at all. Still, it has healthy properties that serve a body well and makes for an overall better life quality. Distill all the sweet, tart, bitter and tasteless days down and dadgumitalltoheck, she’s like a pomegranate.

Some random stream-of-thought about the pomegranate:

• The pomegranate shrub has spiny branches and is extremely long-lived.
• “Of all trees this is the most salutiferous to mankind.” – Dr. John Fothergill 1700’s
• Pomegranates aren’t for everyone. In fact, it was once thought that people with sensitive conditions avoid the seeds altogether (I’m looking at you, diverticulitis!) .
• Insect pests attracted to the pomegranate can include the butterfly, ants and fruit flies.
• Ancient Egyptians believed the pomegranate to be a symbol of prosperity and ambition.
• The old French word for the fruit was pomme-grenade. Read into that what you will.

“Adversity is like the period of the rain… cold, comfortless, unfriendly to people and to animals; yet from that season have their birth the flower, the fruit, the date, the rose and the pomegranate.” – Walter Scott

“I felt my heart crack slowly like pomegranate, spilling its seeds.” – Trebor Healey

“It’s time to speak of roses and pomegranates and of the ocean where pearls are made.” – Rumi

“I peel a pomegranate and say to myself; Weren’t it good if one could see, the seeds of people hearts; Tears come when the juice splashes in my eyes.” – Sohrab Sepehri

“Love is like a pomegranate, it can either be sweet or it could be bitter, but you’ll never know until you’ve taken a bite of it.” – Unknown