My Favorite Tree

It is difficult to realize how great a part of all that is cheerful and delightful in the recollections of our own life is associated with trees.  ~Wilson Flagg

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.  ~Chinese Proverb

If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.  ~Hal Borland

These are photos of my favorite tree. It's hard to miss because it stands in an empty field by the road I use many times a day on the way to and from my house.  I have photographed it often (however, the above photo was taken by Claire) and in every season.  There is just something about this tree that gets my attention every time I pass it.  I believe it is a maple tree. Its fall color is glorious.  I wonder about this tree. I wonder how old it is, how it happened to grow there, was it intentionally planted or just a seed that took root by chance, what it has seen during it's life. I'm fairly certain I wave at this tree like an old friend when I pass and I think it waves back.  

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~Joyce Kilmer, "Trees," 1914

 

Hey JC JC You're alright by me...

In honor of Holy Week, I thought I would take this opportunity to share how I REALLY learned about the passion, death, and ultimately the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And yes, I am proud to say it.  I "got it" from listening to Jesus Christ Superstar, A Rock Opera.  What an amazing experience it was to hear the gospel in a medium I could relate to! Rock music!  To the best of my recollection, I was hooked after my first time. And added to my joy was the fact that the album (yes, a double album of 2 vinyl records each in their own sleeve) came with a little booklet with the lyrics!!  As a young, emotional, and always seeking  girl with a passion for writing poetry to express herself in ways that sometimes rhymed and sometimes didn't, I was a great admirer and appreciator of the lyrics of all the songs I loved back in the day and to this day. Imagine my excitement when I could follow along while the story of Jesus, Mary Magdelene, the disciples, Pilate, Ciaphas. the arrest, the trial, and at the end, the death of Christ came to life for me in song and then imagine my absolute thrill at the realization that this was all in Scripture!!! Wow. Talk about life changing.  You see, for me it's one thing to read scripture, hear it homilized at mass, share it in Scripture study groups, etc. but put it to music, ROCK music, and I GET IT. I have to say that I believe God works in mysterious ways and in ways that speak to me where ever I am at the time and that He always provides wonderful ways for me to learn. God gave me the Rock Opera Jesus Christ Superstar to help introduce me to my faith. It was a gift I have loved for a long time.  From that introduction of Christ's passion I have been able to grow in my faith in countless ways. 

A little related aside to my love of Jesus Christ Superstar...In January 2008 I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Madrid, Spain with my bilingual son, Alan.  While touring the city we saw a marquis for none other than...

Needless to say, we bought tickets and went to see it that evening.  It was an awesome production and even though the entire opera was in Spanish, I knew ALL THE WORDS!