What is your relationship to trees?

I know that probably sounds like a weird question to ask, but think about it for a second.

I was obsessed with trees as a little girl. I would draw pictures of trees. I had a big beautiful tree in the yard of my childhood home. It had a big hole in the center and I used to imagine that’s where owls would nest. And I could step in that hole to reach a thick branch. I would climb up that branch and sit in it’s steady arms for long stretches of time, letting my imagination run wild.

Some of my favorite memories are connected to that tree.

We had a swing in it that my sister and I would play in. It grew wheat grass along its base and I used to chew on the grass because I thought that’s what farmers did, and it looked cool. 😆 My next door neighbor would come over and we’d grab some sticks that had fallen from the tree and pretend they were ✨🪄 witch brooms and run around the yard casting spells. This tree was my first playground.

So you see, I have a very emotional connection to trees.

Trees are life givers. They are protectors. Strong yet yielding. Resilient. Dynamic. Unique.

Some are evergreen and some change with the seasons. Poets, authors and artists find inspiration in them and beautiful works are birthed from their magnificence. This is one of my favorite books inspired by trees: The Overstory

I was taking Miller (our puppy son🐾) for a walk yesterday, admiring the trees and these were my thoughts. I hope you find it thought-provoking for your own personal contemplations.

I hope to grow like trees.

I don’t think trees care how fast or slow they grow.

They don’t look at themselves as saplings, then look across the street at the tall oak and think

The tall oak is better and worthier than me.

I don’t think trees ever doubt their ability to reach higher and higher into the sky.

They don’t reach 6 feet and decide

This is as far as I thought I could go so I guess I’ll stop growing now.

I don’t think trees mind

when they lose leaves

because they are patient and accept that today brings what today brings.

And I will be here. Growing.

I don’t think trees mind

When other trees sprout flowers that are beautiful, even if it has no flowers itself.

It’s not a competition to the tree.

I imagine they rejoice in the company.

I also imagine they enjoy when the other animals and plants come and share in their bounty.

After all, that is part of why the tree exists.

It doesn’t hoard its resources because it perceives others as greedy.

It stays exactly as it is no matter what others take.

Trees teach us lessons in a lot of ways.

And these are just a few I see today as I walk among them.

Nature holds such beautiful lessons.

I invite you to spend time in it and see what secrets it unlocks for you.