UncommonPromise

For a hundred years the oak stood in the backyard, rising to incredible height while stretching its limbs across the yard and over the house as if to embrace it.

Each winter, a limb would break off in the heavy winds and rain. We cabled the branches for extra support and asked experts how to prolong the tree’s life. Each lost limb saddened us, We had taken on a mission to save the live oak.

Eventually, we knew that we were working against the odds, stretching to control our immediate environment.

The small plants under the tree thrived in shade and filtered light, but those that needed more sunlight couldn’t survive there.

As parents, sometimes we cast a shade over our children, not reflecting on how they might flourish if we gave them more space and light.

Unusually heavy rain and wind finally took the mighty oak down. The yard is in full sunlight this spring, and we’ve begun to imagine flowers—we could have…a field of irises…wildflowers…daisies. In letting go of the live oak, we’ve opened ourselves to colorful splashes peeking over the garden wall.