Day 697

We lost some trees today and I cried. It seemed silly to feel so sad, but it was like saying farewell to some old friends. Two of our maples were root-bound and slowly dying. Luckily, the rest of our trees have had their roots freed and stand a good chance of thriving. The only saving grace was that the birds had not yet built their nests.

Even though I realize that trees do not possess human traits, they still seem to have their own personalities and give so much without taking back. They offer oxygen, shade, habitats, beauty and a place to rest your back when reading a good book. All they ask in return is sun, water and nutrients...offered by Mother Earth.

Years ago, we treated all of our elm trees to fend off the Dutch Elm Disease. Machines cut the ground between each tree to stop the spread underground while IV's were injecting life-saving fluids into each trunk. Still, we lost them all. Those elms had stood the test of time and survived against the Anoka Tornado in the 1930's. If they could hold memories, their stories would be amazing!

Walking my Goldens along the river, there are times when I imagine the trees along the banks holding stories of their own...what they have seen!!! Some are so old that they may have seen Indigenous people walking along the paths on each side of the Rum River. Also, the first trading post, lumbering endeavors and so much more. Perhaps a book "penned" by one of those trees would be a best seller!

Yet, today, we said good-bye to two leafy friends in our own yard. Planted to fill in for the elms we had lost, these maples were only 30 years old. Still, in their short life, they provided oxygen, shade, habitats, beauty and a place to rest our backs. They watched as my own children grew and played under their limbs. They, too, could share wonderful memories of four little ones who grew up under their protection.

Trees are amazing, living things. We could not live without them, yet they are so often taken for granted. Today, somehow, I hope they felt the love and appreciation for their time with us. Ranger seemed to agree.