As the leaves begin to turn and autumn starts to peek around the corner I find myself reflecting deeply on my father, who recently completed his earthly journey. His love for trees was magical—one of the many things that defined him—and reminds me of the joy he found in nature. This first fall without him is oh so tough; but my tree friends help to ease my grief by wrapping their majestic arms around me and uplifting my mood, simply with their stalwart presence.
A Tree Lover’s Legacy
My father had a unique bond with trees. He believed they were more than just part of the landscape; they were living beings with stories to tell. We couldn’t take a family road trip or drive from one side of the city to the other without a random new tree calling to him! Without fail, Daddy would guide the car to the side of the road, snap a picture of the fancy sapling he spied, jot down a few notes, and gather a leaf or two from his new arbor friend.
My father loved sharing facts about different species of trees and their importance to the Texas landscape. I vividly recall his eyes lighting up at the sight of a towering post oak or a graceful maple. He forever urged us to appreciate their beauty and resilience. Recently my sisters and I packed up Daddy’s house, and we came across the scrapbooks of leaves he’d saved. I sobbed but smiled.
Building Connections
My hope is that you take time to appreciate trees and how they foster a sense of connection to our world and to those within it. This particular season of the year gifts us with the ideal opportunity to teach children the importance of trees—how they provide us with air, give shelter to the animals, and beautify our surroundings.
Take a few outdoor walks with the littles in your life and collect leaves of various hues. Introduce basic science concepts by chatting about how trees change with the seasons. Share a book about trees and read together while sitting under a canopy of colorful leaves. Plant a small tree and watch it become glorious!
Of course, trees offer the perfect inspiration for our inner artist … so collect some leaves! Create a vibrant collage. Make leaf rubbings. Consider creating a nature tree using sticks and twigs as the trunk and branches. Attach leaves, acorns, and other natural materials to create a seasonal masterpiece. Bring the outdoors inside and adorn your home with offerings from trees.
Cherishing Memories and Finding Comfort in Trees
Navigating this new season of my life without my father’s physical presence is unspeakably tough. I hear his voice describing the different types of bark or how to identify leaves in the fall. But I find comfort in the whispering leaves and rustling branches. The trees ground me and remind me of life’s cycles and the continuity of love. My father is no longer with me in person, but he lives on in the trees he cherished and in the lessons he imparted.
So as you and your little ones enjoy the vibrant colors and textures of fall, my prayer is that you create lasting memories and foster a love for the outdoors that will carry on for years to come. And as autumn’s leaves fall and blanket the ground, I’ll continue to celebrate my father’s legacy and nurture a love for trees the way he taught me. In every tree I see, I’ll remember him—the man who found joy in the simplest of things and whose heart was as expansive as the forest itself.
