6
July 2002
Subject:
Planting Trees
Dear
Ones,
It's Saturday and time to take another marble out of the jar. I hope this day will be a special day for you and yours. As for me, I plan to kiss the cook and take her out for dinner.
One day not long ago, a visitor to our home remarked about the large, old, live oak trees in our yard. She said they were beautiful and added so much to the landscape. I told the visitor that Leavon's father had planted those live oak trees soon after moving to this location in the early 1900's.
I further informed her that our farm is located on a prairie and that Leavon's father planted most all of the trees growing around here. That led to a general discussion about the prairie being dotted in various locations with groups of trees planted by the early homesteaders. I pointed to several groups of trees in the distance and told her that each group represents some family's home site.
Looking back at our old oak trees, I remarked, "I sure am glad that Leavon's father planted these trees. They offer shade, help keep our house cool in the summer, and provide a great place from which we can hang our swing. You know, I added, when you plant trees it's usually for the next generation, not yourself."
I then pointed out to our visitor that Leavon and I had planted forty more trees around the farm this past year. "We won't live to see them grow to maturity", I said, "but one day, hopefully, someone will thank us for planting them just as I thank Leavon's father for his foresight."
I feel sure most people who plant trees don't do so for the "thanks" others might offer some day, but rather because they really care about the world their children and grandchildren will inherit. Perhaps Bertrand Russell said it best, "One must care about a world one will never see." Do you care enough to plant a tree?
Have a great Saturday!!
Don
"A
society grows great when the old plant trees
in whose shade they know they shall never sit."
~ Greek Proverb ~