Another Tree

Anyone who has read this blog before knows about my love affair with a tree at Aaron's Beach in Mathews, VA.

 This tree.

But the tree finally succumbed to the elements and is no longer standing.

So while on my honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean,

we stopped in Freeport Bahamas

and drove our Jeep Caravan out into the ocean

(on a road not, like, on the water).

And at the point was this little tree that appealed to me.

 It occurred to me that it was similar to my little tree in Mathews

(only this one wasn't dead).

And I wasn't the only one who saw the resemblance,

Big E said it reminded him of my tree too.

I guess I'll have to start traveling to the Bahamas on a regular basis 

in order to visit with the tree.

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

Living Driftwood

I love taking photos of this tree at Aaron's Beach.  Every time I see it I think of it as living driftwood.  I imagine one day I will show up at the beach and find it gone- washed out to sea or thrown haphazardly on the shore line. 

I can't say exactly what draws me to it.  Aesthetically the bark is amazing: smooth and graying and twisting.

I think honestly, it appeals to me because I see myself in this tree.  I am this tree.  Standing stoic heedless of the blazing sun, the pounding surf, the impending storm.  Maybe standing a little defiantly because of the impending storm. And perhaps a little weary of facing storms too. 

But despite all the storms its faced, it still stands tall.  And its more beautiful and richer for having faced the storms it has.