Your Memory Tree

"I was in the garden yesterday planting flowers around your tree like I do every year. I always plant marigolds, your father's favorite flower. He loves the strong yellow color and how they feel light and bright like you. When he planted the tree four years ago, it was so tiny - not much more than a twig. As I gaze upon your tree today I see a strong, tall, beautiful tree, firmly planted in the ground and reaching for the sky. A beautiful cypress tree: that is what we wanted for you when your father planted your tree over four years ago on that sunny but sad Easter morning. When we planted your tree, our hearts were heavy with missing you. We wanted to do something tangible in your memory. We picked the beautiful water cypress, a tree you always loved. At the time we did not know the meaning of the cypress but have come to find the tree's meaning."

The cypress tree has often symbolized the universe, due to its roots being underground, its trunk above ground, and its leaves reaching for the sky. This represents three distinct levels of life - birth, middle life, and heaven - with the fact that the tree is evergreen, symbolizing immortality. The cypress tree is known as "the tree of life."

How fitting that the tree we planted for you is known as the tree of life. For you were always so full of life from the tomboy little girl who could outrun most boys to the strong beautiful young woman you became.

The tree has become a shrine to you and your life; so as I plant the sunny yellow marigolds and place your angel statues around the base of your tree, I feel you, I feel your strength and your love and I know you live on, just as your tree does and will continue to do. I also know we will see you again in another time, another place, another dimension, for love lives on, love never dies; it is too strong and solid, just like your tree.

So for now I will try to be strong for you. I will go on to love others still on this earth. I do this for you, and for your love and strength, and when we meet again one magnificent day I can hear you saying, "Good job mom, for your love survived. It survived time and space."

For just like your tree growing more strong, beautiful, and solid with each passing day, so will my love grow for you, and for my loved ones still on this earth with me. Because really, in the end, it is only love that matters. I love you my daughter and I always will.

by txlouise