Oh my what an incredibly ugly picture. A tree that sits out in the middle of nowhere all scraggly, crooked that does not even receive the blessing of green leaves in the summer. I have watched this trees for a few years now after it caught my eye. But…to my eye this is not an ugly tree. What? I actually find this tree quite intriguing. In my eyes this tree could be a person reclining back on a lawn chair holding a favorite book feeling a light breeze coming from the lake on a sunny day. Yes…in the eyes of the beholder. This tree stands as a facet in life. Although to any eye it could be questionable to its relevance in life. This tree has set its roots down, weathered many storms, lost a limb a two and still faces storms every season. It is simply no different than I am in life.

I like to believe that as I age that life will simply settle into a smooth, calm ride. My husband and I will sit quietly each evening and watch our favorite shows (and lots of sports) and welcome our children on a regular basis into our home for family gatherings. I imagine that retirement will come together and we will travel a little more beyond my “hundred-mile bubble” and life will be simple.

We have set our roots on our little home by the lake. We have weathered a few storms in our life. Yes one of us is blessed to be retired and choose a side job that fulfills his every desire. We travel any time we choose…even if it is beyond that bubble (I just do not look). Our life can take the shape of the tree above. Those weathered storms have shaken our tree immensely and at times it seems that outside sources want to ensure it continually shakes. Our tree though is extremely strong and to those powerful pulls they do not know they do not have the power to break the main trunk. Their branch that belongs on the tree may break away and that is certainly the choice personally made. The branch may even say it was pushed or blame but in reality it is their need to take on the responsibility of the break. The branch falls and blows away if it chooses. It is sad; extremely sad. No tree likes to see itself become bare and unprotected. Breaks are mendable…even in trees. New shoots come forth with nourishment, sun, even talking like grandma always did to her plants. The outside forces though are tough to battle. They blow through howling untruth, blame, judgment, hypocrisy…twisting and twirling until it seems as if the winds are hurricane strength that no tree or branch can begin to think about recovering from. The tree tires of all the wind and elements and simply wants to settle into its roots and quietly ponder its life and let those branches go as they have so much more joy in other aspects of life. There is the focus…the little shoots that come forth. The branches that are lost and broken will be missed for they are still a part of that tree. The remaining branches will continue to be strong for the trunk at any point of weather and vice versa. New shoots will come and be welcomed with open arms. Sadness will descend upon the tree but we know the branches that remain will be the saving grace to our tree. That is where truth lies…who sits upon the branches through the sunny times and the rough snowy periods.

So the tree may be ugly on the outside but this beholder sees the love of my husband in the deep roots we have lain over the past 16 years and incredible strength we give each other through the base of the trunk of the tree. The branches are the gifts of our children and grandchildren and extended family, a little worn, missing a branch or two and it is okay. We are a strong tree blowing in the wind listening to laughter and love coming from our branches.

So for now I close my eyes and imagine the tree in a lawn chair on a sunny summer day down by the lake with a light breeze reading a book and simply smiling…our roots are settled and strong and happy with our tree; whether ugly or not. It’s all in the eye of the beholder and well I think it is incredibly beautiful.

Love your tree!