We had a 20-foot pine tree cut down
yesterday. It used to be beautiful. But last year it died, and every time I looked
at it I saw a fire hazard—dry and brittle, next to a wood fence, leading
straight to the house.
Until yesterday...when the lower branches were being cut off. It caught me by surprise and I almost cried.
In those moments I remembered its fullness and beauty.
I remembered my daughter as a young child running around it giggling with delight.
I remembered how it sparked in the sunlight after a heavy snow.
I remembered the needles sticky with sap and the pine cones that had to be picked up.
I remembered the night we saw bats flying around the very top branches...and got a little freaked out.
And I remembered our cat, who has been gone for a few years now. She loved that tree. If she could sneak out the back door, that's where she would go—deep under the tree where we couldn't reach her.
And when we finally got her back in the house, she would get sick—every. single. time.
Until yesterday...when the lower branches were being cut off. It caught me by surprise and I almost cried.
In those moments I remembered its fullness and beauty.
I remembered my daughter as a young child running around it giggling with delight.
I remembered how it sparked in the sunlight after a heavy snow.
I remembered the needles sticky with sap and the pine cones that had to be picked up.
I remembered the night we saw bats flying around the very top branches...and got a little freaked out.
And I remembered our cat, who has been gone for a few years now. She loved that tree. If she could sneak out the back door, that's where she would go—deep under the tree where we couldn't reach her.
And when we finally got her back in the house, she would get sick—every. single. time.
Good memories...and some not so good, but all pieces that make up life.
Isn't that the way it is with everything? The good, the bad, and the unexciting moments that make up every day. Moments we don't think much about until they're gone.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
One day passes so another can begin. But the memories...they become a part of us.
And sometimes those simple moments last a lifetime.
In Christ,
Linking up
with Grace & Truth, Playdates with God, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Give Me Grace, Testimony Tuesday, #SmallWonder, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday
Laura, like you I find myself most grateful for the gift of memory. And we have a huge pine tree on the side of our house so this post truly resonated with me in so many ways :) Have a blessed Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteI would feel the same way. I have a tendency to become sentimental, and I can understand how sad it would be. There is definitely a season for everything. Blessed to be neighbors from #tellhisstory.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how one tree can hold so much love in it. While memories pass, the love always remains. Thank you for your heartfelt words! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposefulfaith.com.
ReplyDeleteWe had a tree like that in the back yard in the house where I grew up. We used to play with dolls under it when I was a little girl, and as a young woman I used to sit under it with my boyfriend on warm summer evenings. When it was struck by lightning it was like losing an old friend. Thanks for the beautiful post! Linked up behind you at Faith-Filled Fridays -- hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Laurie
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/