I've only climbed a few trees in my life. One was in our front yard--I got grass stains on my sherbet-colored pants, I guess from grappling my way from the ground up. I must have fallen a few times.
It takes a while to learn to climb. But I did like the view from up there, and the freedom of hanging with my head back, my legs wrapped around the branch on a Saturday. I did it by myself, on my own. I liked the feeling.
I also climbed a tall, tall tree in Saugerties, NY--near the Catskill Mountains, when we went to visit Mom's friend and her family. Didn't go nearly as high as someone else who was already perched up there--maybe Ellen? Mary? I just remember craning my neck to look up from a lower spot, and seeing a friend way, way, up there through the leafy branches, and knowing I was not brave enough to go that high. I did not choose to.
Knowing our limits is good, though pushing through them is important with a challenge, a goal, a dream. Still, honoring them is sometimes right, if we are not ready to break on through to the other side [thank you to The Doors for that phrase]. Whether the other side is a treetop, a life change or a finally clear awareness of what matters most in life, and how to achieve it.
And that last one? I think I'm ready to go beyond my comfort zone, do all I can to get to a safe perch at top.
Good night.
It takes a while to learn to climb. But I did like the view from up there, and the freedom of hanging with my head back, my legs wrapped around the branch on a Saturday. I did it by myself, on my own. I liked the feeling.
I also climbed a tall, tall tree in Saugerties, NY--near the Catskill Mountains, when we went to visit Mom's friend and her family. Didn't go nearly as high as someone else who was already perched up there--maybe Ellen? Mary? I just remember craning my neck to look up from a lower spot, and seeing a friend way, way, up there through the leafy branches, and knowing I was not brave enough to go that high. I did not choose to.
Knowing our limits is good, though pushing through them is important with a challenge, a goal, a dream. Still, honoring them is sometimes right, if we are not ready to break on through to the other side [thank you to The Doors for that phrase]. Whether the other side is a treetop, a life change or a finally clear awareness of what matters most in life, and how to achieve it.
And that last one? I think I'm ready to go beyond my comfort zone, do all I can to get to a safe perch at top.
Good night.
Posts
Keep on climbing, Al, until you break on through to the top. You will make it.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the sour cherry tree that we had in the front of our house in the Bronx? We all used to climb that one. The first time I did climb it was in following your brother up there, older than me and an accomplished tree climber. Love, Lin
Oh, i love that story!!!! no, i do not remember the sour cherry tree. I like the sound of it. i was probably somewhere in the house. was J. an accomplished tree climber? how interesting.....fearless? I can't picture Sis climbing a tree...did she? these sound like really fun times. love alice
ReplyDeleteThere was a mulberry tree next to the mock wishing well. We’d never climb that one – too messy and we’d get in trouble for permanently staining our clothes. The cherry tree was pretty large, and located on the other side of the front yard. No, I can’t recall Sis ever climbing it. She was always reserved and classy. But JJ, yes, when he would stay downstairs with Nona. He did fun boy stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi Lin. I asked my Dad if he remembered the tree. He did. "Oh yeah...that was in the front yard...they trimmed it every year. Everybody climbed it, especially Judi." correct? I bet Uncle Aldo was the tree trimmer, right? love al
ReplyDeleteYes, Judi was always up in that tree and my dad did take care of the yard chores like tree trimming, etc. That's funny that your dad remembers about how Judi used to like that tree :)
ReplyDelete