Our beautiful new maple tree came today. The one we bought and planted in May in memory of Thomas died during the miserable dog days of summer and we've been staring its pitiful, leafless corpse for at least two months. And no, the irony isn't lost on me. Our first tree. Dead.
Anyway, on Saturday we picked out a beautiful, fresh, healthy maple and arranged to have it planted today, one day before Thomas would have turned 6 months old. I'm not totally sure what killed the other one, but I have a feeling it was a combination of the summer's intense heat, not quite enough water and the fact that it wasn't that healthy to begin with. So, in an effort to make sure this tree has as good a start as possible, we decided to have it planted for us.
It was like Santa arriving on Christmas morning when I saw the nursery truck pull up. I truly couldn't have been more excited.
There's something very healing about seeing it standing there all green and new in the backyard. I watched it for a long time today, on and off through the day. I watched it like a bit of a crazy lady to be honest, but I really am so happy to finally have a beautiful healthy tree in our otherwise pretty barren yard. Seeing its leaves dancing in the breeze was mesmerizing. And oddly comforting.
It's true. Life goes on.
Sure, it's a new life, different than the one we planted in May, but it's still life and we get to nurture it and watch it grow for as long as we live here. It will spread a thick canopy of dark green leaves over our yard as it slowly grows to 30 feet above the earth, and it will light up in shades of yellow, orange and red every fall. Along with the comfort it has already given me in one short day, it will clean the air, give birds a place to nest and offer its delicious shade when the summer heat comes again.
I hope that one day there will be a little one to play in the shade of Thomas' tree, but for now it's a reminder that life still holds beauty and promise, even when you have to work hard to find it.
Happy 6 months, my sweet one.
5 comments:
I planted pine trees...one for each of my boys. They both died. I've decided to hold off on any memorial gardening until I feel like I can keep something alive again.
Hi K, I too usually find solace in nature when life brings with it unbearable events. One of my favourite things to do is to lie in the grass on my back under a tall maple tree and look through the leaves to the bright blue sky, all the while, listening to the wind tickle the leaves. Somehow it brings a sense of calmness.
I hope you get much peace from watching and listening to your new maple grow...
I'm glad you got a new tree and a fresh start. Enjoy your tree-watching and be sure to take some pictures of your new friend! :)
(Sorry if this ends up posting twice -- I tried to post already and it didn't go through...)
I'm happy you have a wonderful fresh new tree planted. The tree we planted for Logan's birth died too. I remember when yours was not doing well and hoped it would hang on. I think Thomas is looking down at that tree and smiling ear to ear knowing what happiness it will bring you and Sandy and generations to come. (((Hugs)))
my MIL gave us a lovely, lush miniature azalea tree, made up of three trunks braided together, one for each member of our little not-so-together family. it is currently a pile of sticks on our back porch. it's kind of humiliating. but i tried to keep it alive, honest.
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