Monday Meditation: Tree Edition

I've photographed this tree many times over the years.

Not only did I find it photogenic,

but I also found it to be metaphorical.

Here was this dead tree

still standing at the end of the Chesapeake Bay.

Standing through hurricanes,

nor'easters

even a 6 foot tsunami.

(really, I'm not joking, an actual tsunami)

It screamed strength.

Oozed perseverance.

And in an odd way,

it gave me hope.

It showed me that despite what was thrown at you,

you could still stand tall and strong and persevere.

And still be beautiful and photogenic.

Sadly,

the tree succumbed to the tides and erosion

and came down.

That stretch of beach looks naked.

I did a lot of thinking about the symbolism of the loss of the tree

(I get that overthinking about a tree and what it means isn't normal,

 and I truly do not care)

and I've come to this conclusion:

It's been a rough few years.

There have been several nasty hurricanes in my life

with some wild Nor'easters

even crazy unexpected tsunamis

thrown in.

And I can throw in the towel 

lay my head down and wail and cry

or I can be strong

and let the weather shape me into something different

something beautiful

something unique.

Maybe the tree stayed long enough for me to realize that.

Or maybe I'm crazy

Tree found further down the beach

 “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.”

~Rumi

The Longest Winter

 It could also be called

The Winter That Would Not End.

Either way, I'm sick of it.

Much like these deer are probably sick of it

(they've been eating bushes and shrubs like mad)

so Big E and I are packing the car

loafing the 3 dogs (one of which is a car barfer-yay)

and heading south.

I'm anxious for some homemade ice cream from Short Lane

(I heard they opened today for the 2014 season)

and some time at the beach.

Even if my favorite tree is gone

(which it is, sadly)