My Lola watered her calamansi tree every day. She lived in the same small two-bedroom house in a suburb in predominantly white Tasmania for more than 20 years. The white paint crinkled and had worn with age. The floors creaked and broke as people came and went in the house. But one of things that brought my Lola joy was her calamansi tree.

My Lola told me that the plant was older than me, "maybe 22 years old”. It sat right next to our clothes line. After putting the washing up, I would pick the biggest and greenest ones and give it to her. She then made noodles and squeezed the juice on top and kept some in the fridge. The smell of calamansi was tangy and sweet.

One day, the landlord came and told her he was selling the house. My Lola and my Mum were upset and angry. My Lola, who had lived in the house for more than 20 years, had to move out. The memories of me being born and my Pop passing away were ingrained in the house. She could not take the calamansi tree that held the memories. It was too big to pull out of the ground. It was older than me.

My Lola and my Mum moved 15 minutes away from the calamansi tree. It was a smaller house with less privacy but they both enjoyed gardening together. The white paint was fresh. The floors did not creak as people came and stayed. They made the same dishes, but without calamansi from their tree. They watered the garden everyday but there was no plant to hold their memories as their calamansi tree.

One day their friend came over. “I have a present for you," they exclaimed. My Mum and Lola were excited and fighting to see the gift first. It was a small calamansi plant. They cried and hugged their friend. They both realised they needed to start afresh. Let go of the old calamansi plant and embrace their new home.

The calamansi plant sits next to their small clothes line. My Mum picks the biggest and greenest ones and cooks my Lola her favourite meals. She squeezes the juice onto the dish or she prepares them with chilies. My Mum and Lola eat together and gossip as their calamansi plant stands tall and absorbs their new memories.