Plant Trees
I once knew a family where the dad was in the Army for most of his life. This meant that, every two years or so, the family would have to pack up everything they owned and move somewhere half-way around the world. But no matter where they went, no matter the fact that they knew they weren’t going to be staying there for long, the mom always planted a garden. And it wasn’t just a garden with vegetables and flowers. She would plant perennials and bulbs and shrubs, plants that would multiply and grow, year after year. Sometimes it wasn’t until long after the family had packed up and moved away that her gardens would flower and flourish.
There are lots of reasons that you should plant trees. First, they’re good for the planet. No tree ever harmed the environment, and they usually help it. Trees also add beauty to the landscape, and the world can always use more beauty. They also usually live for a long time, so their benefits last and last. You might not be able to hang a tire swing from the branch of a tree that you plant, but you also couldn’t have your tire swing if someone a long time ago hadn’t planted the tree that holds it now. So, in some ways, planting trees is a way of saying “thank you” to those who planted the trees before you showed up. It’s a way to “pay it forward.”
And, of course, when I say “plant trees” I’m not just talking about physically putting saplings in the ground. When I say to “plant trees” I’m trying to tell you that it’s good to put down roots. Your own roots. No matter where you are and no matter how briefly you might think you’re going to be there. It’s important to become part of the place you’re at. To be grounded there. Even if, like me, you have a restless spirit and you think to yourself “I’m not gonna be here long,” make some solid connections wherever you are. With your neighbors. With your local fire house. With a church community. Wherever you can, become part of something greater than yourself. It might make it harder to leave when you have to go, but it also might make it easier to stay a little longer. And, you never know: The trees that you plant while you’re there just might bear fruit long after you’re gone.
Trees ALWAYS hep the environment, not just “usually.” They are a carbon sink, where CO2 is stored rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. That’s why we’re so concerned about the forest fires on the west coast — huge carbon sink gone, and a lot of CO2 released into the atmosphere because of the fire.
I’m thinking about olive trees, and how orchards are planted for grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Olives grow very slowly, but they are sturdy (I think). Isn’t there some Bible verse about this?
I’m also thinking about the families we would have at UUCV for a year — sometimes two — who were assigned to the Army War College in Carlisle (“a finishing school for Generals”) and who were already UUs. They would find us quickly, get involved, straighten things up (because Army) and leave us in better shape than we were before they started. Talk about “hitting the ground running.” They were great!