Sunday Snapshot

“Whatcha doin’, Mom?”

“Pruning this tree.”

“By sitting under it?”

“I’m listening to her.”

“Umm, Mom…trees don’t talk.”

“Well, no, not the way we do. But they’re living things. They have souls, life force, and a language all their own.  And if you sit with them long enough, and take the time to really look and listen and get the feel of the tree, they’ll tell you what they need.”

“What they need?”

“Sure.  In this case, our lovely lady here needs some runaway growth taken off the bottom and sides – and the top, too, but I’m not equipped to do that today, so I’ll at least get what I can.”

“And the tree…’told’ you that.  Mom, you’re weird.”

“Yes, I am.  But I’m also right.  Come sit with me and I’ll show you.”

“Umm…okay.”

“Sit right here, with your back against the trunk.  That’s it.  Now close your eyes, and breathe.  Nice and deep, deep and slow, in and out.  Feel the trunk against your back, how cool and solid it is.  Sense the roots beneath the ground.  Listen to the leaves rustling overhead and all around you.  Think of the tree as a living organism:  roots and trunk and leaves, all working together.  The tree is alive as you are alive.  Think of her as a quiet friend, who says much without speaking.  Take your time.  And when you are ready, open your eyes.”

“Okay.  I did feel the tree, a little bit, I think.  That was neat.”

“All right, then.  Come out from  under the tree with me and show me where you think Madame Tree  would like to be pruned.”

“Hmmm…well…I think…right there.  That big branch is dragging on her.”

“Good instincts.  We’ll take that branch off.  Now what?”

“We…we should trim the bottom all around to get the bottom tier of branches at the right level on the tree.”

“How do you know it’s the right level?”

“I just do.”

“Then we will trim…here…and here…and here…and…there.  Look right?”

“Yes, it does.  Now we should take off some of this side growth.  I can kinda see the shape that it should be.”

“So can I.  So stand clear, I’m going to start lopping.”

“Geeze, Mom, you’re moving so fast and hardly even looking!”

“There’s a time to work slowly and carefully, and then there’s a time to work quickly and trust your instincts.”

“Couldn’t you use hedge clippers or a chainsaw or something and do it faster?”

“Faster, maybe, but not better.  Electric tools are for heavy-duty work – if you need to do major pruning on an entire hedge, or take a big branch off a big tree.  For this little lady, and for typical yardwork, I much prefer to work by hand.”

“Why?”

“Helps me connect better with the plants and the trees.”

“You’re weird, Mom.”

“You mentioned that, already, and yes, I am.  But I’m ALSO right.  See?”

“It…whoa! That looks so much better!”

“Yep, she’s almost shaped up.  Just the stuff on the top I’ll need to get when I’m better equipped…and…there’s ONE branch that still needs trimming.  Can you find it?”

“Hmm…well…it’s…There, right there!”

“Good eye.  How did you know?”

“Well…when I was listening to the tree earlier, I kinda ’saw’ the shape she wanted to be, inside all that overgrowth.  I knew that that branch there wasn’t part of the shape.  So, it had to go.”

“Excellent.  You have all the makings of a fine tree whisperer.”

“Haha, that’s funny.  Can I go in now? Me and my friends…”

“What?”

“I mean, my friends and I are trying to get a ride to the Mall.”

“Well, I guess you’ve had enough Creation Spirituality for one day.  Sure.  Thanks for your help.”

“Love you, Mommy!”

“Love you too…”  …my lovely young lady, graceful as any tree, dancing and shimmering in the sun, how I delight in the emerging shape of you!

Tags: family, fun stuff, gardening, Spirituality, trees