Saturday was an utterly dreary day. As I looked out through the pouring rain, the only bright spot in the garden was my Mama’s Maple tree. And it was brilliant – fiery red leaves were a welcomed sight on this rainy day.
This tree had been her pride and joy. I can remember her standing at the front door looking into the woods in front of the house, exclaiming “Kids, come look at my burning bush!” And all five of us would run to the door to look, oohing and ahhing and commenting on the brilliance and beauty of the leaves. I’m not sure any one of us cared about the tree the way my Mom did, but it wasn’t the tree that we were celebrating, it was Mom and her unparalleled enthusiasm and awe for beauty in the natural world.
I transplanted this tree from my parents’ yard 13 years ago and though it took a few years to become accustomed to its new home, it’s now my own beacon of light and beauty. And I am so grateful for it. I love the tree, of course, but more, I love the memories that come with it. My mother, too, was a bright spot on many a rainy day for me and this tree reminds me of that.
I am so grateful for my mother’s legacy, her enthusiasm for life and her unflagging desire to share that with everyone she met. Like this maple tree, she was fiery and brilliant. Though I have lots of photographs of her and a lot of her artwork, it’s this tree that makes me remember my mother most vividly.
Now, when I call to my own grandchildren, “come and look at my burning bush!” They come and they ohh and ahh and I know that it’s not because they love the tree but because they love me. And, I hope that some day, they’ll be calling to their own children to come and look at the miracle of a maple tree in its autumn glory.
And I love the fact that this tree, somehow, connects us all, that generations that never knew one another have this shared experience of loving the sight of this tree.
I can think of nothing better to pass on to my children and grandchildren than my mother’s sense of awe of the beauty of the natural world and a deep seated love of everything living and growing.
I hope that each of you has a wonderful day of love and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving.
A very touching post! I planted seedlings from my Mothers red maple at our CT home. Now in GA, I do look for it when visiting North, on the CT hillside where it still grows. Beautifully said!
Lovely tribute to our mother — made me cry. My own seedling from this tree is thriving, although it’s years away from the vibrant display your tree puts on.
Yep. That’s my mom. Thanks for writing this beautiful tribute to a great woman—and to a beautiful tree.