My Own Paradise
A Space in My Own Paradise
Trees spanned in growth over time, extending many decades. For one tree, just few short years. Such
is my own yard, my piece of paradise. One special tree is a four-year old Weeping Willow. I planted the
Willow tree when my first granddaughter, Jayden was born. Jayden is my daughter’s second child, a
baby boy Joseph, had chosen to exit this world before entering. Losing Joseph was devastating
physically, emotionally, and psychologically to my daughter Cheri. Jayden has been a breath of fresh air
to her family, and healing during a time when days became very dark for her parents. When Joseph was
not born as they had hoped and prayed for. Uniquely, a little celebration of life, for her parents, and
the nature of life that had just begun to change for everyone. A space in the front yard of my home, off
center of the middle of the property, at this time already had become a sign of miracles that are
possible. In front of this space, fifty-four Peony bushes line the front of the yard, an easy space of
existence in a circle of life. To the right of the tree, a rose garden full of various colors of roses, branches
and petals from early spring, until the cold days of fall. Strong within their own protective nature,
undisturbed by life that circles their area of identity. Behind this space, a hammock lumbers silently,
strung between two trees, the branches and leaves creating an umbrella from the sun, but yet at times
being parted by the breeze, allowing the sun to seep through, and warm anyone that has chosen a few
minutes to feel the free flowing sensation of grabbing those quiet times, that can only be fully
understood through the experience on a warm summer day in the hammock. Underneath, the Willow
tree lays a bed of wildflowers, breathing with color and beauty, free to grow wildly under the breeze
and watchful eyes of the sun. The foot of the Willow tree now completely bathed in sunshine and
reflective glow that surrounds the base of the tree. Before the Willow tree, a Magnolia tree had once
been planted in this space. The Magnolia tree, had been planted in 2002 on Mother’s day, in
remembrance a month before when Joseph chose to take an early departure from this world. A day of
planting and show of support for my daughter at a painful time in her life, the tree was not more than a
twig of a tree planted in the ground, struggling to survive. So small of a tree, that the ground held more
stakes than limbs, supporting the tree. Looking much more like a Charlie Brown tree, than a strong
Magnolia. In the fall, the tine base of the tree was wrapped for winter, with the hope that through the
winter a little Willow would gain strength and survive. One day in November of that year, with snow on
the ground and bitterly cold, I looked out of my kitchen window and could not believe what I was
seeing on the little Willow tree. Six big Magnolia flowers had appeared. That day would have been
Josephs’ birthday into this world. Spring came and my daughter was pregnant again. The little
Magnolia gave up the life force, and withered and died. Seemingly, as if Josephs’ spirit had moved into
doing something else and now it was time to tell the tree goodbye. That spring a new tree was planted.
This time a Weeping Willow, providing shade for all that would someday sit under the tree. Long having
to support a new tiny trunk of the Willow, the tiny Willow is now more than twenty five feet tall, and
majestic. Long being known as Jaydens’ tree. Josephs’ Magnolia tree gave way to Jaydens’ Willow tree.
In the process, a cycle of death, birth, and possibly rebirth in life. Also a sign of life going forward,
stretching, growing, expanding and loved as Jayden is, and as her tree, now a mighty Willow.
Occupying a space in my own special paradise, or my own front yard.
Trees spanned in growth over time, extending many decades. For one tree, just few short years. Such
is my own yard, my piece of paradise. One special tree is a four-year old Weeping Willow. I planted the
Willow tree when my first granddaughter, Jayden was born. Jayden is my daughter’s second child, a
baby boy Joseph, had chosen to exit this world before entering. Losing Joseph was devastating
physically, emotionally, and psychologically to my daughter Cheri. Jayden has been a breath of fresh air
to her family, and healing during a time when days became very dark for her parents. When Joseph was
not born as they had hoped and prayed for. Uniquely, a little celebration of life, for her parents, and
the nature of life that had just begun to change for everyone. A space in the front yard of my home, off
center of the middle of the property, at this time already had become a sign of miracles that are
possible. In front of this space, fifty-four Peony bushes line the front of the yard, an easy space of
existence in a circle of life. To the right of the tree, a rose garden full of various colors of roses, branches
and petals from early spring, until the cold days of fall. Strong within their own protective nature,
undisturbed by life that circles their area of identity. Behind this space, a hammock lumbers silently,
strung between two trees, the branches and leaves creating an umbrella from the sun, but yet at times
being parted by the breeze, allowing the sun to seep through, and warm anyone that has chosen a few
minutes to feel the free flowing sensation of grabbing those quiet times, that can only be fully
understood through the experience on a warm summer day in the hammock. Underneath, the Willow
tree lays a bed of wildflowers, breathing with color and beauty, free to grow wildly under the breeze
and watchful eyes of the sun. The foot of the Willow tree now completely bathed in sunshine and
reflective glow that surrounds the base of the tree. Before the Willow tree, a Magnolia tree had once
been planted in this space. The Magnolia tree, had been planted in 2002 on Mother’s day, in
remembrance a month before when Joseph chose to take an early departure from this world. A day of
planting and show of support for my daughter at a painful time in her life, the tree was not more than a
twig of a tree planted in the ground, struggling to survive. So small of a tree, that the ground held more
stakes than limbs, supporting the tree. Looking much more like a Charlie Brown tree, than a strong
Magnolia. In the fall, the tine base of the tree was wrapped for winter, with the hope that through the
winter a little Willow would gain strength and survive. One day in November of that year, with snow on
the ground and bitterly cold, I looked out of my kitchen window and could not believe what I was
seeing on the little Willow tree. Six big Magnolia flowers had appeared. That day would have been
Josephs’ birthday into this world. Spring came and my daughter was pregnant again. The little
Magnolia gave up the life force, and withered and died. Seemingly, as if Josephs’ spirit had moved into
doing something else and now it was time to tell the tree goodbye. That spring a new tree was planted.
This time a Weeping Willow, providing shade for all that would someday sit under the tree. Long having
to support a new tiny trunk of the Willow, the tiny Willow is now more than twenty five feet tall, and
majestic. Long being known as Jaydens’ tree. Josephs’ Magnolia tree gave way to Jaydens’ Willow tree.
In the process, a cycle of death, birth, and possibly rebirth in life. Also a sign of life going forward,
stretching, growing, expanding and loved as Jayden is, and as her tree, now a mighty Willow.
Occupying a space in my own special paradise, or my own front yard.
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