Back aways, when we moved into this house, Yule came, as it always does at a certain time of year, and we were broke, as we often are at the same season. Steve was working at the computer store at the time, and on Christmas Eve, his boss came through with a totally unexpected Cash Bonus.
So! After the computer shop closed for the holiday, we went to the grocery store, bought a celebratory dinner, and, in order to add some green goodwill to the house, we also bought a little cedar tree in a pot, with a tinfoil star on top. It was a nice little presence in the kitchen over the winter, and when spring came, we planted it outside our bedroom window.
Against, I think, everybody’s expectations — I include the cedar tree itself in this — the little tree grew into quite a large tree; became the nesting tree for several generations of birds; breathed its wonderful aroma into our window on hot summer nights, and soothed us to sleep.
I just walked into the bedroom and noticed something wrong with the window. I thought the cats had been at the shade, but when I looked out, I realized what had happened.
Today’s snowfall has taken the cedar tree; it’s lying, trunk-broken, on the ground.
I’m. . .kind of sad about this.
Awww… so sad.
I understand, and it’s normal even when it is something like a tree. When David and I married 45 years plus ago, our photos were taken beside a newly planted box elder. That tree grew to humongous proportions, and housed many birds, and many kids as well. It held climbers, swingers and one tiny girl with cerebral palsy who was told she could not climb that tree (I meant DO NOT)and took it as a challenge. Then an ice storm, and down came the massive tree, barely missing the house. It was just a chunk of wood and gathering of leaves, but it was a loving presence watching over us all those years, and the loss hurt.
Can someone run it through their chipper and put the chips into mesh bags to scent closets and drawers?
AAww I am sincerely sorry for your loss! About the same time, my children decided to plant the yule tree with which we had been gifted. They stuck it in a snow bank and when the snow melted, they stuck it in a bucket, propped up by other trees in the hedge. Late in the fall, it had a root as big as my thumb and they insisted on planting it. It now stands taller than the house. They planted a few successive yule trees with mixed results. The first bird’s nest they found in it is now preserved and adorns the indoor yule trees in a position relative to where we found it in the original. SO many happy memories! I hope you have as many of your beloved tree friend.
Is it possible that you have seeds from it that you can plant in it’s stead?
Find yourself a spirit carver. Take the spirit with you to your new home. Ask at the school, you might find one available and willing to work with the piece for extra credit. (or something)
I can totally appreciate your loss. I would see about getting some of the tree made into a small box for you to keep some of your other precious memories. That way your memories can be wrapped in your memories.
Aww to lose a tree, sad,so sad.
I’m so sorry about the tree. Trees and cats are special, in the Liaden universe and our own.