Its jacaranda time in Brisbane at the moment and I was thrilled this week on a visit to my parents to see the Oasis Jacaranda in all its glory. This big old tree ( Dad thinks its about 100 years old) sits on the corner on the site of the old Oasis swimming pools and is only a few blocks from our family home. We used to walk this way to and from school and the appearance of the jacaranda blossoms always heralded exam time and the coming school holiday s.
After years away from home, I was surprised how touched I was to see this old tree and in fact it to realise I'd been past this tree all year and only now that it was showing me its full colour did I truly see and appreciate it. How often do we do this with our elders? So many of them have become faceless to us and yet they have such an abundance of wisdom and knowledge to share if only we can take the time to pause, look and really see. Just as this tree's blossoms reminded me of all the years I'd seen it growing up it also reminded me of the years I've been away living in other places and watching other trees blossom.
This beautiful tree did not just suddenly appear in its glory but rather has toiled unseen for years growing, weathering, fighting and then briefly once a year it flowers so we can be reminded of the seasons of things, the impermanence of the petals as they fall and blow away and the hope that we will see it flower again next year. Lets all take some time to really look at the old trees and the elders in our lives, not just at the blossoms but at the true beauty that is their strength and resilience.
After years away from home, I was surprised how touched I was to see this old tree and in fact it to realise I'd been past this tree all year and only now that it was showing me its full colour did I truly see and appreciate it. How often do we do this with our elders? So many of them have become faceless to us and yet they have such an abundance of wisdom and knowledge to share if only we can take the time to pause, look and really see. Just as this tree's blossoms reminded me of all the years I'd seen it growing up it also reminded me of the years I've been away living in other places and watching other trees blossom.
This beautiful tree did not just suddenly appear in its glory but rather has toiled unseen for years growing, weathering, fighting and then briefly once a year it flowers so we can be reminded of the seasons of things, the impermanence of the petals as they fall and blow away and the hope that we will see it flower again next year. Lets all take some time to really look at the old trees and the elders in our lives, not just at the blossoms but at the true beauty that is their strength and resilience.
RSS Feed