How do we move forward?

Your way + my way = our way

Photo by Taisia Karaseva on Unsplash

Five days after reading fellow Substack writer

Leslie Rasmussen

’s profound comments to me, I'm still pondering the importance of what we plant in this world, both in the earth as well as in our communities. After mentioning in a comment to Leslie that we had planted two sequoia trees recently, she replied,

Thank you, Sue. I love that you have planted two new sequoias--that is an act of hope. 'May they live long and prosper.'

She then followed up with,

In fact-your action inspired a note:

"Three things remain with us from paradise: stars, flowers, and children." Dante Aleghieri wrote that.

I would add trees, I have been thinking and writing a lot about trees. Perhaps the most hopeful act one to take right now would be to plant a tree, one that could live a very long time, thousands of years.

It is also a generous act, you may never taste their fruit or sit in their shade. A young tree is a gift to the future.

Her words a gift to the future render a deep breath, just short of a sigh. I tuck the words in my pocket for safekeeping.

A few days later, I read

Karen Davis

’ words in her post Planting Seeds,

I imagine planting enough trees to replace all the trees they've cut down in the last twelve months and sprinkling wildflowers along the edges beyond where they mow. I haven't figured out how to do this yet, but I'm looking for an opening.

Leslie's words tumble out of my pocket and combine with Karen's creating a glorious collection on the rain-soaked earth at my feet. Their colors are pure, vibrant, almost other worldly. They feel of hope and strength, courage and determination.

I imagine

Looking for an opening

A generous act

Replace all the trees they've cut down

The most hopeful act

A gift to the future

These lovely women speak to me of our world, our rights, our freedoms, our democracy, a love of our country, a love for our fellow man, and yes, our trees.

I hear that little voice that never steers me wrong,

Karen's wish to replant all the trees is anything but impossible.

Even if the trees aren't planted right where they stood, a tree is a tree, and planting them is a generous act, also known as paying it forward. Adding the wildflowers doubles down on the goodness, a valuable lesson to mere mortals.

Many of us have never known a time like this, or if we lived through one, we were likely oblivious. It's next to impossible to bury my head deep enough these days. Trust me, I've tried.

It's time to look for the openings and be ready with as many generous and courageous acts as it takes to replace what we have lost, one tree at a time, one kindness at a time, one fight at a time, creating gifts for our future selves and those of our loved ones.

Together, we hold the power to reshape our surroundings. Our collective action can influence the course of our environment, making a significant impact on what is happening around us.

Join me? Your terms, your way, combined with my way, creates our way.