this here tree

So, what has my 40-foot tall, 70-year old cottonwood tree seen over the years it has lived here in my back yard?

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I assume it has seen returning WWII soldiers, who lived in this neighborhood when it was shiny and new.  It has looked over fences and roofs to see children playing in their backyards and riding their bikes.  It has shaded people who have sat in the yard to have a nice cool drink at the end of a day.  It has seen the whole stretch of this surrounding landscape change, even in the 17 years we have lived in this area.  It has been hit by baseball bats, plastic swords and sticks- not because of anger, but because there have been boys that have grown up here.  Little pirates and knights and warriors of all sorts who have used this tree for practice before fighting the bad guys.  And it has taken it all.

It stands as a reminder of life and change.  It keeps our little secrets and never tells a soul.

16 comments

wendy | October 7, 2010 at 7:36 PM

Ah to be a tree.....old, and wise and strong
who has seen it all, and not told a soul

Connie | October 7, 2010 at 8:00 PM

If that tree could talk, I'd listen! What tales it could tell. (Not that I want to know your secrets)

Kim | October 7, 2010 at 8:07 PM

I love old trees and oh, the stories they could tell.

Awesome post!

mermaid gallery | October 7, 2010 at 8:24 PM

I love the old weathered bark...It is a hardy shell to it's soft inner soul......

Anonymous | October 7, 2010 at 8:53 PM

A tree is such a good friend.

Jenny | October 7, 2010 at 9:26 PM

I love old trees, ones just like yours.

The Way I See It | October 7, 2010 at 11:02 PM

I love those trees. Lots of memories.

Unknown | October 8, 2010 at 12:17 AM

Having grown up in the east, I imagine you've spent time at Monticello. Have you seen those trees that they say were likely planted by Thomas Jefferson? And they have these plaques that describe what those trees might have seen.

I love this idea. And I love your writing. And of course, I love you.

Bossy Betty | October 8, 2010 at 8:58 AM

Amazing, I would visit this wonderful soul as often as I could.

Barbaloot | October 8, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Gosh-wouldn't it be nice to watch a video of the things that tree has seen. I would love see what the world was like in the WWII times!

Dedee | October 8, 2010 at 11:01 AM

This just reminded me of how much I love trees. I think I need to go climb one.

Charlotte | October 8, 2010 at 8:41 PM

What a great looking tree. All those years have really given it some character.

Kimberly Vanderhorst | October 8, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Some of my best friends have been trees. Beautiful post.

Rachel Cotterill | October 10, 2010 at 4:13 AM

That's quite a tree. And you're right, I'm sure, that it's seen a lot of life go by.

Mrs4444 | October 10, 2010 at 3:19 PM

I love trees, and I loved this.

Lola Sharp | October 11, 2010 at 3:48 PM

Sort of reminds me of the Giving Tree. (which makes me cry. Every. Time.)

Big old trees are a sentimental favorite of mine.

I think of: rope/tire swings. Tree forts. Reading under a comfy tree. Crying under a weeping willow tree.