Being Blessed by Trees

[Gavin Frye]

The whole life of these trees is to serve.With their leaves, flowers, fruits, branches,roots, shade, fragrance, sap, bark, wood,and finally even their ashes and coal,they exist for the purpose of others.~ Srimad BhagavatamOne of my favorite memories growing up occurred when I was about 8 years old. I had just climbed up to the very top of the tall tree in our front yard one day — when a storm front began sweeping across our neighborhood. It began raining very hard and a strong, warm wind was also blowing. I was in heaven at the top of that tree as it gently swayed 5-10 feet back and forth high in the air for well over an hour. I can still connect with the exquisite oneness I experienced that day as time disappeared. Of course, from that day forward that tree became a dear friend of mine.This memory, and the gorgeous photograph above, reminds me of my love for trees as vibrant givers and teachers of life. One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, captures her reverence for the wisdom of trees in the following poem:CAN YOU IMAGINE?by Mary OliverFor example, what the trees donot only in lightening stormsor the watery dark of a summer’s nightor under the white nets of winterbut now, and now, and now - wheneverwe’re not looking. Surely you can’t imaginethey don’t dance, from the root up, wishingto travel a little, not cramped so much as wantinga better view, or more sun, or just as avidlymore shade - surely you can’t imagine they juststand there loving everyminute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark ringsof the years slowly and without a soundthickening, and nothing different unless the wind,and then only in its own mood, comesto visit — surely you can’t imaginepatience, and happiness, like that.Although I usually include one poem each week, the trees themselves insist that I share another one of their favorites:WHEN I AM AMONG TREESby Mary OliverWhen I am among the trees,especially the willows and the honey locust,equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,they give off such hints of gladness.I would almost say that they save me, and daily.I am so distant from the hope of myself,in which I have goodness, and discernment,and never hurry through the worldbut walk slowly, and bow often.Around me the trees stir in their leavesand call out, “Stay awhile.”The light flows from their branches.And they call again, “It’s simple,”they say, “and you, too, have comeinto the world to do this, to go easy,to be filled with light, and to shine.”Blessings of peace to your own rich memories of times spent in awe of nature in all its extraordinary, healing forms.In Love, Gavin