TIME TO LET GO

This is a story of a "grand, old and wise tree."  He and his brother, both shown in the photo, spent their entire lives protecting the Smith Family at 1301 Tennessee Avenue.  My name is Junior…you can only see my thin shadow in the picture.  The "grand, old and wise tree" in the foreground is my Dad.

His brother, in the upper corner of the yard is the one whose limb is heavy laden just like Dad’s and is also protruding over the curb.  When Mr. Smith bought the trees so many years ago, he didn’t see their deformities. The trees had grown up right along side the Smith children, shading them, keeping the little rascals from falling as they climbed their tree limbs, etc.  Even though the two old trees weren’t perfect, the Smith’s loved them…they were part of the family.

I came along several years ago, just a twig off the old limb!  When Mr. Smith found me, he transplanted me to the very center of the yard…a place of honor.  But years later, even though my twenty first birthday had long since come and gone, I was still a runt.  You see, I was planted in the shadows of these two very big, strong and powerful trees.  Getting very little sun, I just didn’t grow.  Because the shadow I thrived in was comfortable and safe, I readily accepted my small structure. 

This is really my story too … my "coming of age" story.  It all happened that one day in January…the day this photo was taken.  I’m going to shut up now and let you listen in on the conversation between my Dad and his brother as it happened that day.  Therein lies the whole of the story.

“Hey Charlie, are you as bent out of shape as I am today?  Lord but this snow is heavy.”

“Yea Frank, I sure am.  It’s not fun anymore, is it?” 

“No, it’s really no fun at all” Frank grunted in agony.  “Charlie can you hear me all right?  I want to talk to you about somethin and I don’t want Junior to hear.”

“I hear you just fine.  You do the talking though…I’m aching too bad to talk.”

Trying to stand up straight, Frank started …it was time they made some decisions.  “Charlie, do you feel kind of uprooted a bit by this heavy snow?”

“Sure do…actually I’m hangin on for dear life!”

“Same here Charlie.”  Clearing his throat, he ran head on into his proposal.  “Charlie, I’m thinking it’s time we let Junior take over.  What do you think?”

“Well, I have been miserable lately and thinking about that very thing.  Do you think he’s ready?”

“Yea, I do.  But that means we have to go Charlie.”

“Yea, I know Frank…but I’m tired … I’m ready!  I don’t believe in taking matters into our own hands though.   So how do we leave?”

“Well Charlie, I think I’ve got the solution.  You know these big old awkward, protruding, aching limbs that you and I have endured all these years?  Just like always, they’re still piled high with heavy wet snow, once again twisting our torsos into pretzels.  I believe if we just let go of our roots, we would topple right over." 

Struggling to look at his brother, Charlie sighed…”you really think we could.  That would just be letting go…nothing wrong with that.  Do we need to tell Junior?”

“I don’t think so Frank…his heart is bigger than his trunk, his mind is brighter than autumn leaves, and his soul purer than the first bud of spring.  He’s ready for his body grow up...he’s been in our shadow long enough.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not anxious to move on with his life too.  Of course, he would never mention it or even entertain the idea.  He loves us too much.”

“I know…and it’s not like we won’t ever see him again.  I understand Heaven has a great forest that never gets dark or cold…enough sun for everyone.”  With that, Charlie smiled, “Frank, I’m ready right this minute.  Are you?”

“Yes I am…see you in the forest.”

Well, that’s the story of two old trees, toppled over, uprooted by the heavy wet snow that morning in January.  The Smith’s actually cried when they saw the trees that had protected them all those years, being chopped up into little pieces.  I knew what Dad would want me to do.  Without missing a step, I opened wide my limbs, turned my leaves toward the heavens and soaked up all the sun’s rays I could.  I already felt stronger and was now casting my own shadow on the house.  

THE END…THE BEGINNING