In the land of nature-filled neighborhoods, where lawns are trimmed and views are expensive, there stood, amongst others, a family of pine trees. This family was not unlike other colonies of trees in that, they stood tall and strong, reaching higher into the sky as the days turned to years and decades. Their unseen, hidden, roots dug deep and spread wide. Like a vine, their roots intertwined with one another. Like the strings of the heart which weave together and form a bond, so did their roots. They stood strong, secure. If you could read of their history in the ridges of their bark, you would learn that, among beautiful seasons, they withstood rigid winters and strong winds. The deepest ridge in the bark would speak proudly of the ice storm of 1996. That is a chronicle in itself, which can be read in a different memoir.
One beautiful spring day, new owners moved into the home adjacent to the pine tree family. Their excitement for their new abode filled the air. Renovation of the home and yard quickly put in motion. Before long, the neighbors admired and envied the reviving vista, thinking to themselves how, as a result, their own homes would rise in value.
The vibrant new paint, new trims, and magnificent windows could not have been more carefully selected. "The pine trees are closing off my beautiful home," thought the owner, "I shall take them down, but leave one for artistry;" and so he did. The tall, strong timber was pulled with its roots and brought down. With one left standing, a charming pine. It was truly so. If trees had feelings and a place for emotion, jealousy would have found a place among the surrounding trees.
Only the lonely pine tree knew the pain it had gone through to receive such esteem. Its roots where torn. The lovely weave, which held their beings together, was forever gone. In its place where left the bleeding roots of the beautiful pine, using all its strength to proudly hold itself together.
The project was complete, the owner was proud, and the neighborhood freshly admired. The years gone by, the days unnoticed, the seasons changed, and the pine tree stood.
November of 2015, a windstorm advisory was issued. "No big deal," thought the owner, "I have nothing to worry about, this pine has been standing strong for decades."
The wind blew hard, topping at 71mph. The damage was severe. Thousands of homes and businesses lost their power. Blocked roads. Two casualties. New York Times describing it as a powerful storm.
Destruction did not show its favoritism to the proud owner of the vista. The charming pine was pulled with its roots and toppled down on its owner's dwelling. Although it had withstood heavy storms in the past and the bleeding roots had healed, the pain of separation was buried in the past, the isolated pine could not withstand this trial on its own.
Let us learn from a simple pine tree, the importance of family and friends, who will uphold, encourage, and pray for us.
By Vera V Chosenko.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
