Rooted
A tree in our backyard met its demise in the storm that rocked our little town this morning.
A tree that held my babies in a favorite swing.
A tree that gave us shade as we read under its massive boughs.
A tree that was ‘safe’ during the hundreds games of tag we played.
Memories that provide sweet images and smiles that make me come alive again as they replay in my head of what childhood is made of.
It also reminded me of how our lives parallel these massive, expansive beings.
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Expansive in size, their true strength lies in their core.
Even with a hard, brittle outside, there is a smoothness of the wood on the inside.
The ability to bend, sway, and go with the flow is admirable.
Their ability to withstand the toughest of storms is mesmerizing.
Like trees, we find ourselves growing, changing, and reaching for the stars.
We make roots in our lives, planted firmly in our faith, beliefs, and convictions.
A sweet juxtaposition of staying put, yet rising higher.
A tree reminds us of the various stages that are required for growth.
Shedding what no longer serves us and ultimately turn inward to grow and expand even more.
New ideas, new additions, new life stems from the inside.
Growth on the outside is a merely a reflection of growth on the inside.
Taking in life.
Giving shelter to friends and family who need safe passage on their journey.
Breathing in; recycling out.
Holding space for more.
Yet, even the tallest, strongest trees break sometimes.
It reminds us that we too, are impermeable.
And sometimes it takes falling to our knees to truly see the stars again.
