I love this look at the impact of winter on trees and our souls. When he was four, my grandson asked me what will happen when I die. I told him that, like a tree, I will lose my leaves and have a rest, then I will come back like a tree in the springtime. Now, he tells me, "Omi, when you are a tree, I will visit you." Out of the mouths of babes. He didn't skip a beat in seeing me as a tree and found such solace in that picture of death and rebirth. Trees are amazing! So are young children. I'm looking into having a memorial tree planted in the park, when the time comes.
Oh, I love this exchange between you and your grandson, Judith. Thank you for sharing it here. The circle of life really is on display in nature. If we all hold a bit of that childlike wonder, we can rest in it.
I love what trees can teach us. I was taught long ago to meditate with trees - to choose a tree and take a question to it, then sit quietly and wait to hear a response. Trees offer so many metaphors for living through witnessing how they live. I have heard many a wise answer from sitting with a tree 💚
So many metaphors. So many messages for us. I historically have struggled with sitting on a cushion. But when I walk slowly in the forest- it is quite meditative. I may stop and sit. There’s one large birch in particular that I would like to spend more time near 🫶
Beautiful writing. It reminds me of the nurse logs I discovered on trail walks after moving to the Pacific Northwest. I'd never seen them before, or maybe never noticed them. They help nurture new trees to grow in the forest and are quite amazing to look at.
Thank you both. I’ve always marveled at the strength and survivability of the live oak trees here where I live. Their topping and regeneration process is amazing and spiritual. Your words captured my feelings about the process perfectly 🙏
Such a beautiful collaboration, Allison and Kristen. It’s so telling to me how trees move and grow towards life. I believe that, as part of nature, we too naturally move towards life and healing.
I love and feel drawn towards simplifying generally, but even more so in winter. This week, my pruning has a lot to do with tying up loose ends, simplifying my to-do lists and mental acrobatics in the process.
Ah, simplifying the mental acrobatics! Yes. That’s so good. I overcomplicate in that department regularly! Downshifting to our natural rhythms - may we both find some ease in that. 💞
Allison, this was birdsong to my ears, a symphony of words and image and meaning, a love letter to trees, with the beautiful knowledge Kristen brings to our human-species family. When we see our connection to trees--to everything in nature--we are so much richer for it. Today's essay was a gift and this is something I will save for my own winter's restoration and contemplation. Thank you.
With your love of trees (you take magnificent photos by the way!), have you read Elif Shafak's wonderful novel The Island of Missing Trees, where a fig tree is a narrator (the wisest of all the characters, naturally). I also recommend highly Richard Powers' novel The Overstory.
As for nurturing my nature and myself this winter--it is a very different type of winter here in Florida, at least the part of it I am spending here, prior to my move to Barcelona (and then I will end the winter in South America, so not much traditional winter weather for me this time around). But I do relate to Katherine May's concept of Wintering, that it can also be an internal season. I am in one such season, like the split branch of a tree: one foot still in my decade of life in Florida, where so much happened (a divorce, the death of my beloved mother), and the other foot itching to get to the Mediterranean Sea and discover my new home.
I find restoration by focusing on the "rest" in that word, as you point out. By being in the moment as much as possible, and yet also allowing a poignant gratitude for what I've learend in previous seasons of my life, and to forward to the future with pleasure and joy while tempering my expectations. To be open--like that first bud on the branch of a tree in spring.
Winter's restoration and contemplation! Ah, I love that. Can I change my title to THAT, please?!
I sometimes can't believe how much I used to miss or take for granted when I would pound the pavement as a runner. I was always looking down, not up. Counting my miles, slogging through, pushing for the "finish" line. Now, I walk slooooowly and my eyes (and ears!) take in so much that I missed when zipping by. It really is a meditation of sorts.
Thank you for those book recs! I haven't read either and they are now on my winter reading list ;-)
Despite not being amongst the traditional cold and dark winter climate, I love that you are still honoring the cycle of the season by placing value on the rest that this time of year often requires. The internal winters find us, for sure. The split branch of a tree - oooof. Such a vivid way to describe your current season. I get that. Thresholds are exciting but also feel unsettling when straddling. The liminality can bring a kaleidoscope of feelings.
Thank you for this response Allison, for layering onto our exchange in a way I value so much. With your story of how you once ran looking down & now are moving slowly & taking it in, I think of Joy Oladkun’s song ‘Look Up.’ You know it? Have a lovely weekend!
Yes, I know the song and enjoy it because of you 🤗 you once listed it at the end of one of your essays and I gave it a listen. It’s now part of a playlist titled “46” - which consists of songs I discovered (or re-discovered) in my 46th year. I consider it a soundtrack of sorts for this year of my life.
I’ve been hugging trees on my nature walks. I have 3 in particular thatI’m bonding with but they’re all pretty miraculous. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
My only knowledge is that THEY have such wisdom! And I know how they make me feel.
It was really cool to collab with Kristen who shared the science background.
I love that you are finding ones to bond with - I also have my favorites that I stand by for a few when I take my walks. You are right - they ARE pretty miraculous. Thanks for sharing Jennifer! Enjoy your walks (and those hugs!)
I love this look at the impact of winter on trees and our souls. When he was four, my grandson asked me what will happen when I die. I told him that, like a tree, I will lose my leaves and have a rest, then I will come back like a tree in the springtime. Now, he tells me, "Omi, when you are a tree, I will visit you." Out of the mouths of babes. He didn't skip a beat in seeing me as a tree and found such solace in that picture of death and rebirth. Trees are amazing! So are young children. I'm looking into having a memorial tree planted in the park, when the time comes.
Oh, I love this exchange between you and your grandson, Judith. Thank you for sharing it here. The circle of life really is on display in nature. If we all hold a bit of that childlike wonder, we can rest in it.
I love what trees can teach us. I was taught long ago to meditate with trees - to choose a tree and take a question to it, then sit quietly and wait to hear a response. Trees offer so many metaphors for living through witnessing how they live. I have heard many a wise answer from sitting with a tree 💚
So many metaphors. So many messages for us. I historically have struggled with sitting on a cushion. But when I walk slowly in the forest- it is quite meditative. I may stop and sit. There’s one large birch in particular that I would like to spend more time near 🫶
Thanks for sharing, Vicki.
Beautiful writing. It reminds me of the nurse logs I discovered on trail walks after moving to the Pacific Northwest. I'd never seen them before, or maybe never noticed them. They help nurture new trees to grow in the forest and are quite amazing to look at.
Nurse logs fascinate me! The Pacific Northwest is a part of the US I really want to visit. Never been.
learned so much here. going to read to James tonight, so he can hear the trees he's stewarding in our yard... this is everything.
Oh I hope James is healing ❤️🩹 I love that he is tending to your trees. Reciprocal care, I’m sure. 🫶
Thanks, Elena.
Love this one ❤️
Thank you both. I’ve always marveled at the strength and survivability of the live oak trees here where I live. Their topping and regeneration process is amazing and spiritual. Your words captured my feelings about the process perfectly 🙏
Thanks, Dee! I agree - the process IS spiritual. Trees are full of spirit.
Such a beautiful collaboration, Allison and Kristen. It’s so telling to me how trees move and grow towards life. I believe that, as part of nature, we too naturally move towards life and healing.
I love and feel drawn towards simplifying generally, but even more so in winter. This week, my pruning has a lot to do with tying up loose ends, simplifying my to-do lists and mental acrobatics in the process.
Ah, simplifying the mental acrobatics! Yes. That’s so good. I overcomplicate in that department regularly! Downshifting to our natural rhythms - may we both find some ease in that. 💞
Thanks Dana. For the resonance.
Allison, this was birdsong to my ears, a symphony of words and image and meaning, a love letter to trees, with the beautiful knowledge Kristen brings to our human-species family. When we see our connection to trees--to everything in nature--we are so much richer for it. Today's essay was a gift and this is something I will save for my own winter's restoration and contemplation. Thank you.
With your love of trees (you take magnificent photos by the way!), have you read Elif Shafak's wonderful novel The Island of Missing Trees, where a fig tree is a narrator (the wisest of all the characters, naturally). I also recommend highly Richard Powers' novel The Overstory.
As for nurturing my nature and myself this winter--it is a very different type of winter here in Florida, at least the part of it I am spending here, prior to my move to Barcelona (and then I will end the winter in South America, so not much traditional winter weather for me this time around). But I do relate to Katherine May's concept of Wintering, that it can also be an internal season. I am in one such season, like the split branch of a tree: one foot still in my decade of life in Florida, where so much happened (a divorce, the death of my beloved mother), and the other foot itching to get to the Mediterranean Sea and discover my new home.
I find restoration by focusing on the "rest" in that word, as you point out. By being in the moment as much as possible, and yet also allowing a poignant gratitude for what I've learend in previous seasons of my life, and to forward to the future with pleasure and joy while tempering my expectations. To be open--like that first bud on the branch of a tree in spring.
Winter's restoration and contemplation! Ah, I love that. Can I change my title to THAT, please?!
I sometimes can't believe how much I used to miss or take for granted when I would pound the pavement as a runner. I was always looking down, not up. Counting my miles, slogging through, pushing for the "finish" line. Now, I walk slooooowly and my eyes (and ears!) take in so much that I missed when zipping by. It really is a meditation of sorts.
Thank you for those book recs! I haven't read either and they are now on my winter reading list ;-)
Despite not being amongst the traditional cold and dark winter climate, I love that you are still honoring the cycle of the season by placing value on the rest that this time of year often requires. The internal winters find us, for sure. The split branch of a tree - oooof. Such a vivid way to describe your current season. I get that. Thresholds are exciting but also feel unsettling when straddling. The liminality can bring a kaleidoscope of feelings.
Hugs and much appreciation to you, my friend!
Thank you for this response Allison, for layering onto our exchange in a way I value so much. With your story of how you once ran looking down & now are moving slowly & taking it in, I think of Joy Oladkun’s song ‘Look Up.’ You know it? Have a lovely weekend!
Yes, I know the song and enjoy it because of you 🤗 you once listed it at the end of one of your essays and I gave it a listen. It’s now part of a playlist titled “46” - which consists of songs I discovered (or re-discovered) in my 46th year. I consider it a soundtrack of sorts for this year of my life.
I’ve been hugging trees on my nature walks. I have 3 in particular thatI’m bonding with but they’re all pretty miraculous. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
My only knowledge is that THEY have such wisdom! And I know how they make me feel.
It was really cool to collab with Kristen who shared the science background.
I love that you are finding ones to bond with - I also have my favorites that I stand by for a few when I take my walks. You are right - they ARE pretty miraculous. Thanks for sharing Jennifer! Enjoy your walks (and those hugs!)