Jewells of Thought

Growing up on the Alsman side there is one obviously large tree close to my Grandparents house. In my mind as a child and as an adult; that’s our Family Tree.

Monday night as we sat outside under the span of its leaves from the branches talk emanated. We recently had some guys cut the tops of the two largest trees. They reported the tree wasn’t as healthy as it had been and would in a few short years need to come done. Those words were hard to hear when I originally heard them a couple of weeks ago. They still hurt though.

This song has been coming to mind recently, one we kids all sang at Faith Community during VBS and I remember doing the motions and all. Then I began to actually play the song for myself. Dad and I have also sung this a few times. It’s a beautiful melody and the words fit this idea of how much a tree can affect a family.

"I've got roots growing down to the water, I've got leaves growing up to the sunshine, and the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me. I am shade from the hot summer sundown, I am nest for the birds of the heaven, I
m becoming what the Lord of trees has meant me to be, a strong young tree."                                                                Words and Music by Ken Medema

This one tree has brought us so much shade from the hot sun. Many vehicles and weary workers have cooled down underneath its branches. The 8 of us all found ourselves lounging on the branches or playing Star Wars. I don’t know why, but that’s what Ian wanted to play so that’s what I remember playing up there.

It’s a landmark. When mowing it gave a halfway mark for me at times. In the rain it gave the safety of knowing where we were. It’s such a beautiful, luscious tree we have enjoyed for well over 50 years.

Monday night my oldest Uncle talked about what the tree cutters reported and spoke about being there when the tree was being planted. His youngest grandson’s eyes bulged with that comment I think. Of course, he loves being the comic himself. This tree’s roots have been intertwined with our family for well over 50 years.

How far do your roots go? Does anyone else get emotional about a tree besides me?