He Who Plants Trees Loves Others Besides Himself
Trees emphasize the significance of life's journey
For Years, I had a favorite tree that led from my land up a hill to the neighbor's property. It was a beautiful gateway between the two fields. One branch gracefully leaned over the entranceway. I thought about life and its many paths we travel. I loved that tree!
One morning, I heard a loud buzzing and saw that my husband was cutting down the graceful branch over the path. I yelled, "Bob, what are you doing? He replied, "I'm making the tree straighter." Through my tears I said, "All of life is not a straight path." It reminded me of my life!
I needed to find another special tree. I read an article that said trees can give you messages and strength. It suggested that readers find a tree to hug. I tried many trees on the farm and found mine in a majestic dawn redwood. At different times when I put my arms around the trunk, I could feel the sap rising. I would say, "I love you, tree. Pleases give me strength." One day I saw my Cat on the other side of the tree with her little paws stretched upward.
Years have gone by and my arms can no longer reach around the trunk, but from my bed I can see this huge dawn redwood standing majestically with its branches stretched upward in all kinds of weather. It is an enormous image of strength and beauty to guide me through each day.
A special woman, Jeremy Mary Jones, sent me her very delicate drawing of a tree. In the center where the branches reach out from the trunk, she placed a beautiful little gold heart. She wrote: "Drawing trees is both prayer and meditation-an homage to our relationship with God, each other, and the universe; Earth's majestic life force in the simplest form. Trees strengthen our relationship between environmental consciousness and spirituality. They are our link to the 'ancestors,' the 'great ones.' We are never alone with these faithful and powerful ones in our midst."
Ardath Rodale is chairman of the board of Rodale Inc. and author of Reflections; Gifts of the Spirit: True Stories to Renew Your Soul; and Climbing Toward the Light.
HE WHO PLANTS TREES LOVES OTHERS BESIDES HIMSELF-Thomas Fuller
For Years, I had a favorite tree that led from my land up a hill to the neighbor's property. It was a beautiful gateway between the two fields. One branch gracefully leaned over the entranceway. I thought about life and its many paths we travel. I loved that tree!
One morning, I heard a loud buzzing and saw that my husband was cutting down the graceful branch over the path. I yelled, "Bob, what are you doing? He replied, "I'm making the tree straighter." Through my tears I said, "All of life is not a straight path." It reminded me of my life!
I needed to find another special tree. I read an article that said trees can give you messages and strength. It suggested that readers find a tree to hug. I tried many trees on the farm and found mine in a majestic dawn redwood. At different times when I put my arms around the trunk, I could feel the sap rising. I would say, "I love you, tree. Pleases give me strength." One day I saw my Cat on the other side of the tree with her little paws stretched upward.
Years have gone by and my arms can no longer reach around the trunk, but from my bed I can see this huge dawn redwood standing majestically with its branches stretched upward in all kinds of weather. It is an enormous image of strength and beauty to guide me through each day.
A special woman, Jeremy Mary Jones, sent me her very delicate drawing of a tree. In the center where the branches reach out from the trunk, she placed a beautiful little gold heart. She wrote: "Drawing trees is both prayer and meditation-an homage to our relationship with God, each other, and the universe; Earth's majestic life force in the simplest form. Trees strengthen our relationship between environmental consciousness and spirituality. They are our link to the 'ancestors,' the 'great ones.' We are never alone with these faithful and powerful ones in our midst."
Ardath Rodale is chairman of the board of Rodale Inc. and author of Reflections; Gifts of the Spirit: True Stories to Renew Your Soul; and Climbing Toward the Light.
HE WHO PLANTS TREES LOVES OTHERS BESIDES HIMSELF-Thomas Fuller
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