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| Today I join my fellow bloggers in "serving up a slice" to the Tuesday Slice of Life sponsored by Two Writing Teachers. |
Some of you know how much I love trees. I was filled with sadness this spring when I learned that my beloved trees would be removed to make room for our "portable" village on the front lawn of our campus. The front of our building will become the back when construction is completed in 2016. In the meantime . . . well, any of you who have lived through a school remodel/construction know that the coming months will call for tons of flexibility.
On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, I stopped by school to pick up a few things and noticed a work crew standing around a truck in the parking lot. I inquired if they were scheming when to cut down "my" trees. I promised I'd wear black for the day of the dirty deed, but they informed me it would happen on a Saturday.
When I arrived Monday morning, this was the view from my classroom window.
And when I left tonight, this was the view from the end of the parking lot.
I can't imagine spending the seasons without following the progress of the trees outside my window. These trees inspired many slicers and poets each spring. So next spring when I come back to substitute teach, I'll plant pictures on the windows of classrooms that face the portables instead of "my" gorgeous trees. Maybe I'll become the Phantom Poster!
These lovely trees may be gone, but they'll never be forgotten!
Trees offer such beauty and opportunities for reflection. In this season of time following my mother's death, the trees in the backyard have been a comforting presence. On the day after the funeral, as I was looking out the window, a pair of cardinals perched on the branch of the maple tree in the middle of the yard. My last thoughts leaving the cemetery had been of my mother and father now together in heaven as I glanced down on the grave marker that bears both their names. And the pair of cardinals sealed the thought in my heart and mind. Now they are both free of pain and suffering, together in the presence of God. A comfort made more impressionable, more lasting, because a tree is there and the cardinals in their beauty and freedom perched there momentarily.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you will be keeper of the memories of those trees and phantom poster!
You won't be surprised to know that this sad post has made the tears trickle steadily down my cheeks. YOUR trees stood as reminders of so many things! Things that remind us who we are, where we came from, where we are going! The four seasons that are taken for granted "back home" were hinted at by the changes you witnessed in these branches. There was just a peek at the wonder of creation by regarding YOUR beautiful tree. My words fail to convey the emotion that overflows and drips down my face. Joyce Kilmer may have stated it best: Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.
ReplyDeleteI often had students journal about the trees outside our windows, so understand perfectly, Ramona. I've never had ones so beautiful in spring as yours, however. It's such a tragedy to cut them down. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe those gorgeous trees were cut down! ARGH! Love your idea of putting up posters!
ReplyDeleteSo sad to find the trees gone. :-(
ReplyDeleteOh No! They are beautiful. I am so glad you took pictures. I hope others will be planted...but it is so sad to see a good healthy tree removed. :-(
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