Rooted

I passed this beautiful tree in light and shadow (photo above) on my walk today. I am comforted when I see its roots. If I am feeling groundless and unsure, this tree cantilevered into the side of the mountain holds me in its arms.

A friend once told me that she feels a strong vortex of energy whenever she stands in front of it. I understand why. I always feel a pull to pause as well.

Up ahead and around the bend is a huge tree that fell in a recent storm. I pass a friend who is grieving the loss of it. “Don’t you remember, it created such a portal?” he asks, a bit stunned.

When I first passed by the fallen tree, it was strange, but I could not remember it ever standing. Later, I was able to place it. “Yes,” I said. “I sure do remember. I remember now.”

I wonder how I could possibly have forgotten! I had even attached a person’s energy to each of the trees in that portal. So that my friends are never far from me, even though many are gone.

Interestingly, from the looks of it, the fallen tree was more firmly planted in the ground than the one pictured above that seems to be one step from a tumble.

“Wow! It has very shallow roots!” my friend remarked, surprised after witnessing the downed tree’s tethers dangling in the unearthed dirt.

We were both shocked.

One really never knows what is going on with someone from appearances, I remind myself. It is hard to lose a friend, or a beloved tree, they have somehow become family after years of trekking up the mountain.

Today, I have learned that I'm not the only one who has built a strong connection.

I hope the trees feel the same way — smile when they see us coming, and call us their friends.

You know, they have a system in place to talk to each other, their roots are like an underground internet. And I have been told recently, they gossip about us. In a good way. And look forward to our arrival.

Imagine that.

~ KB