Naked she stands guard,
Watching over the bleak land,
With spring comes glory.
Why plant a tree?
I was a youngster when my grandfather planted three trees–three tiny trees. I asked, “Whatcha doin’ Grandpa?”
He responded, “I’m planting these three trees.”
Still curious, I asked, “Why.”
“So they’ll grow tall and give shade to this area,” was his reply.
My questions continued, “How long will that take?”
He responded, “Probably thirty years.”
I Thought about that for a while. Then I asked, “You probably won’t be around then, huh?”
“I probably won’t,” he agreed.
My final question followed, “So why then are you doing it?”
He proceeded to explain life cycles people, plants and animals. He told me about the importance of leaving your part of the world better than you found it.
And folks remembered him by the tree he planted. Small token of legacy.
You are right, Lin–on both counts. First that he is remembered, and second that it is only a small part of his legacy.
That is why one plants trees! Except white pines, they are gratifyingly fast growers.
Those trees were not conifers.
Sounds like you had a considerate grandpa, and he had a very curious grandson. 🙂
Right you are, Rosey. On both counts.
What a great answer you grandfather gave to you. Wonderful lesson for a curious young boy to learn.
He was a great guy. Physically he was hard as nails, but he had a tender side too. As a young man, he was a mule skinner in the lumber woods.
With spring comes glory,
If there really is a spring.
I am not so sure.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3b
:angel: