This is the tree that was given to me by the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and several City staff members as a thank you for helping develop the Eco-City Charter and Environmental Action Plan 2030. The Eco-City Alexandria effort has brought together people from every level of the community - from citizens of every age and income level wanting to learn more about the issues, to Virginia Tech professors, City Council members, and the dedicated members of the EPC - to put together a sort of environmental Magna Carta for our city, an effort that has already garnered major awards and is already making our city more sustainable. I don't know that my efforts truly deserve special attention, as I just happened to be the one holding the gavel during the meetings, so I jokingly think of that tree as my cat herding trophy. But the truth is that I poured my heart and soul and 2.5 years of my life into that effort (as did everyone else involved), and still believe that it will probably be the most positive thing I ever do. I am truly just happy that I got to be a part of the team. That tree actually means the world to me, both because it is the kindest and most unexpected gift I have ever received and because it came from a group of people i admire and respect immensely. As my friends and colleagues led me to this red oak with a red ribbon and gift card tied around it on the grounds of the school across from our house, I imagined it growing tall and providing shade for kids a hundred years after I am gone, and no thank you gift could be more fitting. Trees always represent life to me in all it's forms and cycles, even as they do now in fall, the most bittersweet season, when summer's last and most fiery sunset is burned into every leafy finger while the cold air whispers that winter is near. And they are the first harbinger of hope when their green buds poke out against the grey landscape to remind everyone that even the dead of winter has an end every spring. I'm probably happiest on summer days spent reading under shady canopies rustling in the breeze.
I walked by my tree seeking its solace today, a gloomy day for anyone who truly cares about the environment, but where gold and crimson leaves should be there are instead parched and barren branches. Every other tree managed to survive the drought but mine. It's really just too symbolic of the state of my heart right now, which feels like there is far too little compassion or love left in the world, and that trying to make the planet a kinder, gentler, happier place is essentially a sisyphean task. I mean honestly, what is so funny about peace, love, and understanding?
RIP my little tree. :(
2 comments:
NOOOOOOO!!!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!! Not fair, not fair. That isn't your tree. I refuse to believe it. I will deny that it has perished.
Really sorry about your tree. Such mighty beings and yet so frail.
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