Monday, July 23, 2012

Gone But Not Forgotten


We learned last Friday that Dad's tree had been cut down by
the State Department.  I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the
news.  So, we hopped in the car and headed down the highway
to see if the news was indeed true.  Yes, it was true.  For those of
you who may be new or fairly new readers, I told the story in a 
past post how my elderly dad (now deceased) would always be 
sure to say, each time we drove down the highway and passed by this tree, 
how it was almost a perfect shape and how much he admired it.  We began
 to refer to this particular tree as "Dad's tree".  It dawned on me one
day that he was making sure that he wasn't forgottenThat I would
think of him each time I saw the tree.  Now, the tree is gone, cut 
down for whatever reason.   I thought it would stand forever.  It
wasn't hollow as we could see the stump where the cut was
made.  Another tree was cut down not far from this one.  It was
easy to see that the tree had been hollow and it made sense that it
was cut down.  But why Dad's tree?  Why was it taken down?

* * * * * * * * * *
Just a few days ago, a senseless tragedy struck in Aurora, Co.
Many lives were lost and many more were wounded by a gunman
who opened fire in a movie theater.  This tragedy has changed
so many lives forever.  It has an effect on all of us.  We wonder
how safe any of us are when we go out in public or even in our own homes.  
This kind of tragedy makes us acutely aware of the 
fact that our lives can be changed in an instant.  It's said that nothing stays 
the same forever.  But there is One who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  
Know that He is always with us, even in the midst of tragedy.  
He will never leave us.  
 My thoughts and prayers are for the families of the victims of this shooting,
 for the wounded and for the family of the shooter.

Until next time... 

26 comments:

  1. Thanks for your thoughts on the Aurora, Co. tragedy. I completely agree with you.
    As for the tree....I think I might inquire with the state or county as to why they cut it down....maybe send them a photo of your Dad's Perfect Tree!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i can understand your thought about the tree ... in similar moments where i am from they take things down & you wonder why? makes no sense at all. i hope you have many many views of the great tree. do they plan on maybe making the road wider or something along those lines? (:

    i continue to lift them into my prayers daily ... their loss is great. i can only imagine their feelings & fears ... such a horrible time. so so sad. ): (:

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry about the tree, I hope it was cut down for a good reason!
    Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks in Aurora, we are asking ourselves similar questions,Cheryl. But like you know WHO remains the steadfast .
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  4. i agree with your thoughts on the shooting and thanks for sharing them with us. so sorry about the tree, it was a beauty. 5 years before my mother died in 1990, the state took my parents home, and bulldozed it and all 3 of the giant 100 year old pecans trees and all her plants and flowers. they widened a 2 lane street i spent my whole life on and bull dozed the houses until when i visit Savannah and drive the 4 lane highway i can't find where it was. it is now lined with walmarts and store after store.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Cheryl, Amen, my prayers go out to the families to, so so sad. Also sad about your Dad`s tree, brought tears to my eyes, but he will forever live in your heart. Blessings Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so sorry they cut down your Dad's tree... but, I know you will still remember. every. time. you. pass. its. spot... and many more times, as well.

    Aurora was a terrible tragedy. blessings ~ tanna

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, I can see that your father was giving you a way to remember him, though he needn't have worried, he stands in your heart forever.

    Comforting words about the loss in Colorado. It is true that life can change in a moment.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I understand your feelings on the tree Cheryl. So sorry. Sad when a tree goes especially when it has a place in our hearts.

    The people of Aurora have been in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cheryl,I am so sorry that your fathers tree was cut down,it is just so sad,however I have a suggestion.why not contact the department that cut it down,explain about your father and what the tree meant to you and ask if they will let you have the felled tree.??

    You could then make a lovely garden bench from it and you would remember him every time you sat on it.
    Just an idea.

    As for the dreadful shooting in Aurora,words fail me,
    My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the innocent victims.
    Carolyn.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So sorry about your Dad's Tree.

    But so glad you have immortalized it, in a photo and in your blog.

    "These old buildings do not belong to us only, they belong to our forefathers and they will belong to our descendants unless we play them false. They are not in any sense our own property to do with as we like with them. We are only trustees for those that come after us."
    ~William Morris

    ReplyDelete
  11. Perhaps your Dad's tree was in the early stage of infection like the other one and they just made a preemptive strike. Regardless, so sad.
    It is impossible to wrap one's mind around what could possess a person to do such a horrible deed.
    We can only pray for the survivors who are also scarred and for the families of those taken.

    ReplyDelete
  12. i am sorry your 'dad's tree' was cut down. i have some in our area that i admire every time i pass by. their shape, size, perfection enriches my life just by being there. seems so steadfast, but obviously vulnerable.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sorry to hear that your Dad's tree was cut down. But you will remember it whenever you drive by and will say "that's where Dad's tree was."
    My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Aurora.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so glad you have a picture of the tree to remind you of it. Maybe you could edit it a bit and frame it for yourself. Either way, you would never forget the tree or your father.
    A very lovely post, full of feeling and kindness.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm sorry too that your Dad's tree is gone. At this point the "why" of it doesn't matter. It will still be gone. I recently saw photos of the trees in the neighborhood where I grew up, all cut down. I don't know why either. I don't like change in general.

    ReplyDelete
  16. How sad that your Dad's tree is gone. That was a beautiful post.

    http://www.memoirsofmeandmine.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think it is so sad that they cut down your Dad's tree. I wish sometimes that people could have a choice in this kind of situation. The shooting was such a tragedy. It makes all feel unsafe. Yes, many prayers for all those affected. I do hope they have a faith in Christ and trust in him through this all.
    Blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so sorry they cut that tree down. I can relate in a different way. The last sign my dad built before he died was a McDonalds sign and they had a plaque made that said "A quality sign made by a quality man" When we had a bad storm, that sign blew down and it made us so sad.

    My prayers, too, are with those who have been so tragically changed by the act of one person. I, though, like you know that One who has all those in his hand.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sorry to hear about the tree Cheryl. I can see why it would catch your dad's eye...so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such a beautiful post and so very true - my heart goes out to those in Colorado. I'm so sorry to read about your Dad's tree.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It was a horrible tragedy! Sorry about the tree, but you'll always have the memory of your dad!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You are going to have to find something else to remind you of your Dad. You must of felt so let down when you seen the tree was cut. I think those crews get cut happy, or maybe one of them needed some winter firewood.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Cheryl, I'm very sad about them cutting down that tree... Wonder why they did it???? It must have been on 'public' property. Was it in the way of power lines????? Just makes me sick..

    The Aurora tragedy is just so sad... There are crazies out there ---and none of us are safe at any given moment... Just so senseless... Prayers for all.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Cheryl..
    that is a shame... that your Dad's favorite tree was cut down.
    You should go plant another one in it's place and tie a marker on it to let folks know why it's there.
    I'm certain that there are others that will miss that beautiful tree as well .

    The whole incident in CO. makes me sick!!
    Our prayers go out for all those that have suffered loss and sadness due to the horrific deed.

    Makes me want to try even harder to foster good-will in our own little community.

    {{hug}}
    Kerin

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am so sad about your dad's tree and I can't wrap my mind around the other. I just can't understand. sandie

    ReplyDelete
  26. So sorry to hear about your Dad's favorite tree. So sad.

    ReplyDelete