I have a friend who lost a young adult son. The place where she found the most solace was sitting beside a tree. Eventually, she became a forest therapist, leading people in “forest bathing,” meditation, and healing. Many of these people rarely if ever go into the woods. I’m surrounded by thousands of downed trees in the North Carolina mountains and never thought of making a seat or playground out of one as I hike past them. Thanks for this essay on so many levels. You’re a beautiful soul, Tricia, and I’m glad that beauty has allowed you to let in some light. Bless you.
The trees allow us to sit with them no matter how broken we feel. They are healers. Thank you for sharing about your friend and thank you for taking time to read this.
This comparison is so poignant and beautiful. I live in south GA & have a Mother Oak that fell in my swamp in 2023 during Hurricane Idalia that I found the perfect sit spot for writing and reflecting during that winter. I returned to my belief that the swamp is full of my lost loved ones and they have embodied these majestic trees that provide comfort and safety in the swamp. Then last year Helene took out so many more trees and opened the canopy. I swear I didn’t breathe for a month. Over the past 8 months I’ve watched the swamp heal itself and it has given me such inspiration and hope. I pray you are finding the same peace and comfort through your loss.
I have felt the deep loss of trees too. Nature is so resilient. I am grateful for the seeds of hope that the process of watching nature recover gives me.
Ohhh, Tricia .. tears in my eyes. You have brought it all together here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime essay. Written by your heart. I bow in reverence, and thank you for this.
Tricia, your words ring with truth and honesty and openness to the pain and growth in loss. A friend of mine just lost her mother/best friend unexpectedly; I shared your post with her to read when she is ready. Thank you.
Your delight in the feeling of moving step by step “up” the oak into its canopy was palpable! And the nourishment of those new nooks in which to make friends with the oak, and the forest as a whole…
Beautifully said Tricia. I'm glad you have a special place to be surrounded by nature and all of its healing wonder. I wish I could find the words like you can. I am constantly sending lots of love to you and yours.
This is such a beautiful essay.
Thank you so much, MK.
I have a friend who lost a young adult son. The place where she found the most solace was sitting beside a tree. Eventually, she became a forest therapist, leading people in “forest bathing,” meditation, and healing. Many of these people rarely if ever go into the woods. I’m surrounded by thousands of downed trees in the North Carolina mountains and never thought of making a seat or playground out of one as I hike past them. Thanks for this essay on so many levels. You’re a beautiful soul, Tricia, and I’m glad that beauty has allowed you to let in some light. Bless you.
Trees are wonderful refuges. They are always there ready to give space and shade and to receive our presence.
The trees allow us to sit with them no matter how broken we feel. They are healers. Thank you for sharing about your friend and thank you for taking time to read this.
Me too. I never thought of interacting with any of our many downed trees so intimately. Going to try it now, thanks to Tricia!
I have enjoyed this tree in ways I never could have when it was standing!
This comparison is so poignant and beautiful. I live in south GA & have a Mother Oak that fell in my swamp in 2023 during Hurricane Idalia that I found the perfect sit spot for writing and reflecting during that winter. I returned to my belief that the swamp is full of my lost loved ones and they have embodied these majestic trees that provide comfort and safety in the swamp. Then last year Helene took out so many more trees and opened the canopy. I swear I didn’t breathe for a month. Over the past 8 months I’ve watched the swamp heal itself and it has given me such inspiration and hope. I pray you are finding the same peace and comfort through your loss.
I have felt the deep loss of trees too. Nature is so resilient. I am grateful for the seeds of hope that the process of watching nature recover gives me.
This is breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you, Tricia, for writing so profoundly and deeply about loss.
Thank you for spending your valuable time reading this. It means a lot.
Ohhh, Tricia .. tears in my eyes. You have brought it all together here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime essay. Written by your heart. I bow in reverence, and thank you for this.
Thank you for reading it. ❤️
Tricia, your words ring with truth and honesty and openness to the pain and growth in loss. A friend of mine just lost her mother/best friend unexpectedly; I shared your post with her to read when she is ready. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing. I will send up love and prayers for your friend. May God tenderly care for her in this fragile time.
Thank you, Tricia. Once again, your words speak so clearly to the thoughts & emotions of my heart.
I think about you and all the mothers who have endured this type of loss when I am writing and I know we do not walk alone.
What a beautiful and meaningful metaphor. Thank you!
Thank you for reading my substack Pam. It means a lot.
Your delight in the feeling of moving step by step “up” the oak into its canopy was palpable! And the nourishment of those new nooks in which to make friends with the oak, and the forest as a whole…
Getting to know the canopy of this oak has been delightful! An opportunity I would never have had while it was standing.
Such beauty in your thoughts, thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you for sharing your time with my words 💙
Beautifully said Tricia. I'm glad you have a special place to be surrounded by nature and all of its healing wonder. I wish I could find the words like you can. I am constantly sending lots of love to you and yours.
Thank you so much Tammy. I am looking forward to a coffee or nature walk with you in the future.
Me too Tricia! If u wanna email me we can exchange contact info when ur ready to set something up… take care!