Our Family Tree

The old tree from my childhood provides a beautiful analogy for our family tree.

When I was a child there was a big maple tree in our yard that we spent hours playing on. 

My brothers hung swings from one branch that reached out across the lane. If you look closely at the photo, you can even see where the stretched out branch has been scarred by the ropes of our swings. 

 Another branch reached out the other direction, running along the ground and then angling up toward the sky; the perfect climbing tree.

 As we grew older, it became the favourite backdrop for many family pictures. Eventually, the tree started to die, and my parents made the decision to have it removed....but those roots stretched deep, and the seeds from that maple tree had been scattered for years. The tree may be gone, but it lives on in our memories and in the many new trees it seeded.

 

Like that tree from my childhood, the branches of my family tree have grown large and strong, and each member is unique. 

Some were added by birth, some by adoption and many more by marriage. I’m thankful to the Lord for giving me such wonderful parents and siblings, as well as my own children, and numerous nieces and nephews. Though the maple tree is no longer there, and my children won’t share the same memories that I have, I hope that the memories we create together will have the same positive impact that mine have had.

As I thought of 'Our Family Tree' a poem formed.

This once grand tree stood above all the rest. 

Like giant arms, it's branches outstretched.

For years kids have played in the summer breeze, 

and climbed up to perch in the rustling leaves.

The echoes of laughter still fill the air,

and turn back the time to those moments we’ve shared.

On special occasions, we all seem to meet,

gathered ‘round in the shade of that old maple tree.

The sideways tree never loses its charm;

while seasons change it seems to stand guard.

For kids it’s a horse or a lookout tower;

adventures abound, as they play for hours.

The photos of family each passing year,

have captured forever, the ones we hold dear.

Now each generation creates a new scene,

as we play in the leaves of our favourite tree.

Our family tree stands above all the rest,

and we can claim a great heritage.

We’ve flourished in soil that is rich in love,

and we have been blessed by the Lord above.

Like leaves in the autumn, we’re all unique,

and some have been grafted into our tree.

No matter what happens, or where we may be,

we’ll find strength in the roots of our family tree.

Though the tree of our childhood may wither and die,
the memories we cherish, we’ll carry through life,
and we’ll try to pass on the essence of these,
through the branches of our own family tree.

Psalm 16:6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

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