Isaiah 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the TREES of the field will clap their hands.
A fallen tree
There once was a tree that stood strong and tall
Until one day when a storm caused its fall
You see the tree slowly lost the light above
Even though around it was nothing but the love
The elements did all they could to keep the tree alive
But ultimately that life succumb to those thoughts inside
Thoughts that took it over from the inside out
Lies and deception winning with convincing doubt
The tree it fell that day but not without a cause
That should make us all look inside and take pause
To look inside ourselves and find the light
A light from above that brings Gods might
You see the roots were strong and held the tree for years
But unfortunately the sick was on the inside, didn’t see the tears
The branches were reaching just not far enough
You see the strength it takes to keep them up is beyond tough
As the leaves left that tree for the final time
No one could see the tree was in decline
The winter wasn’t easy for this fragile tree
It tried to find warmth and comfort but the cold would ever be
Spring would come with that glimmer of hope
But unfortunately the dark that day was too much to cope
For this we must learn from this mighty tree
Battle the dark with light from the moment that it’s seen
You see God sheds a tear for every tree that falls
Heaven gains an angel and we understand the call
A call to bring the message to all who lend an ear
A message of hope and light that conquer the dark and fear
The pain may seem too much for any single one to bear
But a community is stronger in battling despair
With light from above we honor those who’ve left us far too soon
We honor them in sunsets and in the stars and moon
So let love be your constant and ever present guide
For those who’ve gone before us and are forever by our side.
Emily Matuza
March 2021
Trees have always been a favorite of mine. Growing up in my early childhood in the northwest may have had a part in that joy Once I had children my appreciation for them got better. We have a large “twin” cottonwood tree in our back yard and Joe put ropes and boards on it and Jacque and Joey spent more time up that tree than on the ground. I can recall both at one point or another working on homework in the front yard tree. We had a rope swing that swung out the backyard from the cottonwood. Trees just have such strong root systems and in Minnesota in the drastic temperature swings, the trees endure. Their roots are the foundation of their strength.
My roots have become the foundation of my journey in grief. I was raised in a Christian home by two wonderful parents. My mother diagnosed with cancer a few times and just looked to God through it all. Life wasn’t always easy but their faith was strong. I have relied on that faith in these last four years and God has been continually present in this story.
There have been “God moments” along the way that just remind me it is okay. I can recall attending this huge craft fair with a friend a couple years after Joey passed and there was this artist I hadn’t seen before. I love art made with nature. He used trees, small twigs cut to create his pieces. The twig slices had perfect stars in the center. I asked him about these twigs and he explained to me this was from a …..cottonwood tree…. I got home and grabbed a bunch of twigs from the ground in the backyard and sure enough, each one had a star. Each twig from the very tree Joey grew up in or swinging from had a perfect 5 point star inside. This has become a special gift for me.
For me trees help me look up and find hope. Currently it is approaching spring in Minnesota despite the piles of snow we all have in our yards. The sun is out longer and the sounds of spring is loud and clear in the trees. Robins have made their way back to our state which I always anticipate with joy. While the past few years this time of thaw has had a grief sting with it, I can say this year I am able to appreciate the sun shining longer, the birds singing louder and the snow melting faster. It is all a clear sign that winter is coming to an end. I am so grateful for the sounds of nature coming from our trees surrounding our house and will not take it for granted.
So, in closing, look up and see the trees. Listen to their sounds of hope. Thank you God for the trees of the fields that "clap their hands".