Branches and Roots

Last year was arguably one of the hardest years of my life. I experienced things I never thought I would. I testified in court. I wrote letters to the county jail. I went to a prison to visit an inmate. Yeah, the city in Texas that's famous for their penitentiary? Most people just drive down 45 and pass the wire fence and bright lights. That's not even where the actual prison is. The actual prison is in the middle of downtown Huntsville. And I've been there. 

Why did I do all this? Because I know without a doubt this person is innocent of the crime. I can't directly change the circumstance, but I can do my part in being a friend, and in loving the people who are affected.

When this happened, I had a vision to commission an artwork. In some ways, I wanted the artwork to be commemorative. In other ways, I wanted it to be a beautiful piece of art for people to find their own story. But I wanted a very specific image. I wanted to see trees intertwined in the branches to where you could not see where one tree ended and the second tree began. But I wanted the focus to be on the intertwined-ness of the trees. No fancy leaves or flowers. I wanted to see the branches touch each other and merge into one. 

I explained this vision to my friend who happens to be an artist. I asked if she could make it happen. She showed me some drafts and we molded this idea of mine into reality. She was the one who actually told me that trees begin to share roots over time as they grow and share each other's space. 

Somewhere from the time this vision of mine was born, my children and I went to the library and found this book: Apple and Magnolia. 

I have a little secret. I've always judged books by their covers. I love seeing beautiful covers. It makes me more excited and generally more happy to open the book and want to read it. This children's book drew me in. I love the way the trees are illustrated with a youthful, fluffy look. I love that the title of the book is written in rainbow letters. And the thin piece of yarn twirled through the two trees gives it a dainty elegance. I had no idea what the book was about, I just saw the cover and wanted to check it out.

I took it home and read it. I can't remember if the first time I read it was with my children or if I just read it myself. Sometimes I do that...just read the books I check out for my children by myself. This book illustrated the idea I had for the intertwined trees perfectly. I don't want to spoil the book as it's a really special story, but it involves the idea of trees helping each other grow. 

When someone helps us, we automatically think, we need to repay the person who helped us. But what if that person is not in need of help? Why not redirect the help we want to give to someone else who needs it? I think this idea should be more widespread. Instead of limiting the assistance to a circular loop, why not spread it out further? 

I was and still am very impressed with the way my commission turned out. The way she twisted the fabric in the branches as she stitched added a lovely texture to the piece. She even outlined the shadows of the tree roots and how they merge with the trees beside them. I'm so glad she's moved closer and I was able to visit her last Christmas. You can check out the rest of her work at her site. 

This year has proven no easier than last year. I still feel spread thin most weeks. But there's a strange joy in knowing I am linking my branches and growing my roots into other trees. It's how we grow stronger.