Planting Trees

Back in February when we were in CA on our trip visiting colleges, I threw out a question to Anna as we were talking about different majors and programs we were learning about.  The question was something along the lines of asking what she wanted to do with her life to make a difference in the world.   She said “I just want to plant a tree.” It was not a surprise to me as she has grown up with Jason who has been an advocate for planting trees for many years, but taking care of the earth has also become more personal for her after learning more in school, choosing to become a vegetarian, and attending the climate change strikes this past year.  She explained that she just wanted to do something practical and tangible, and planting a tree seemed like a good place to start. I remembered this quote and shared it with her then: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."― Martin Luther 

We bought a little tree on Earth Day thinking we would plant it then with her, but weather got in the way and then we just kept putting it off.  We finally made it happen today on the 13th of June.  This little Dwarf Alberta Spruce has a new home in Ravenna Park, and Anna named it Bruce. 

I’m grateful for the chance to finally put this in the ground and follow through on this hope she had expressed back in February, and I look forward to seeing all the ways this girl will continue to make a difference in the world. 

Planting Trees

by Andrew Peterson

We chose the spot

We dug the hole

We laid the maples in the ground

To have and hold

As autumn falls

To winters sleep

We pray that somehow in the spring

The roots grow deep

And many years from now

Long after we are gone

These trees will spread their branches out

And bless the dawn, hmm

He took a plane

To Africa

He gathered up into his arms

An orphan son

So many years from now

Long after we are gone

This tree will spread its branches out

And bless the dawn

So sit down and write that letter

Sign up and join the fight

Sink in to all that matters

Step out into the light

Let go of all that's passing

Lift up the least of these

Lean into something lasting

Planting trees, hmm, yeah

She rises up

As morning breaks

She moves among these rooms alone

Before we wake

And her heart is so full

It overflows

She waters us with love

And the children grow

So many years from now

Long after we are gone

These trees will spread their branches out

And bless the dawn

These trees will spread their branches out

And bless someone, hmm