Lesson I learned today: The tree.

I was hiking today in the woods near my home. It is a protected stand of trees, some of which are very old.

Last year a combination of heavy rains, wind, and early, heavy snow downed many of the trees in the woods. One of these trees had fallen across the trail, and hadn’t been moved. As I was struggling through the dead branches I was surprised to find that there were a few new leaves growing on the branches of the fallen tree. Somehow a connection had been maintained between these few leaves and the roots that was adequate to allow the leaves to grow. The tree will never the towering tree that it was, but there is something in those leaves clinging to life.

I feel like that leaf right now. For years my spirituality was supported by a very old strong and powerful traditions and teachings of the church, my faith and religious practice was healthy and surrounded by many others, while it took work, it was easier with the support of family, family history, tradition and many people all around me. Now, just like the tree, all of that has come crashing down around me, the support I took for granted was gone. However, I want to be like that little leaf, and search among all the wreckage of the fallen tree to find a sustaining connection.