Sunday, January 16, 2005

My Relationship With Trees

Since I was very young, I have had a special relationship with nature. And now, being a middle aged mom, my relationship with trees is still very special to me.

As a youngster of 4 years old, we lived in an area where there were no other children. My days were spent talking to the dog next door and exploring the woods around our small home located in a small town on a dead-end-street (keep this in mind, as the story progresses). I always thought that I lived in heaven. Apparently my mother never worried about me wandering in and out of the woods. She did have two other babies to care for and I was very tall. I never looked my age when I was young - I looked older, probably due to my height. The only time my mother was aware of me was when the 12:00 o'clock whistle blew. If I was not in the house, she would hear me scream in terror. Today I don't even remember doing that, but I have been told that it was the one thing I did to annoy mom.

At the age of six, I started First Grade. My first-day-of-school pictures show me as a very tall, willowy young girl. Again, my mother apparently didn't worry much about me or my safety, as she sent me off to school - 1 1/2 miles away ALONE!! Mind you we had test-walked to school a few times, and I knew the way and wasn't worried about going it alone. I was just worried about starting school and having to talk to kids my age. Remember, I was alone, talking to a dog most of my preschool life. And, I was extremely shy around people, especially adults ... never mind the nuns I was about to meet.

Well, this is the beginning of MY STORY of my relationship with trees and nature. I'll be posting more of my story and of how I CAME TO SEE HOW THE WORLD AROUND US IT NOT WHAT WE THINK IT IS.

~ The Mediator