Think Like a Tree

Soak up the sun
Affirm life's magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling.
-by Karen I. Shragg
I LOVE this poem!

I took this photo just north of Eureka, CA near sunset on a misty overcast evening. As we drove north, with glimpses of the gun-metal grey Pacific thru the trees, I was getting more excited knowing we were getting closer to seeing some redwood trees, one of the top things on my 'bucket list' at the time (returning there is still on the list). I was worried it would get dark but soon, we turned a bend in the road and my first view of this stand of redwoods was there. I was too overcome to even remember to get my camera (I took this picture the next morning). I made my husband pull over and turn off the engine and walked to the edge of the road facing the ocean, a few miles beyond these trees. The mist had come in from the sea and was settling in the tops of these giants which were so tall, they disappeared into it. I don't know if it was the trees, the mist, or the time of day but the quiet was astounding...no wind or even a bird. If there was any sound at all, it could be compared to the unbroken and vaccuous sound you hear when holding a seashell to your ear. I had read that the Indians used to think of this as sacred ground and would walk for days out of their way to avoid walking thru a redwood forest. I can totally see why they would feel such reverance for it truly did seem like a place God would dwell. (Unlike the Indians however, walk in I did!) I don't believe in worshipping the creation instead of the Creator, but that came as near to a spiritual experience as anything I've ever felt. Until my 2 impatient kids shattered my 'moment' by blowing the horn.....