Trees sustain life through the crucial task of turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. They feed humans and other beings with fruits and nuts. And even after they die, if left in place they provide homes and food storage for a wide variety of animals. It would be an honorable goal to be as helpful as a tree.
What are some ways that you are helpful—with or without intending to be?
Your reflection on all that trees mean to us is much appreciated. We learned of yet another way in which trees benefit us. For many years we had a wood stove.
We “harvested” a number of dead Elm trees for the purpose of heating our home.
Someone pointed out that these trees had “stored” energy to be used when their purposes as Arbors were spent. One of the most entertaining purposes was as a home for Red-headed Woodpeckers and other species of birds. Truly a gift of nature.
This is not my personal story but it involves trees and saving something…In a UU service in Canada I heard this tale: beside one of the smaller parish churches in England, there was a grove of trees growing at the side. Later, on finding information about the church and accompanying grove, the parishioners discovered that the original builders had not only constructed the building years before but had also planted the grove of then saplings with the instructions that when needed the mature trees were to be used for repair or reconstruction of that church. As I remember, the result was that many many years later, this was accomplished. Such forward thinking amazed me.
I don’t feel like I contribute much, but there are a few things I do that are somewhat helpful to others. I sort the laundry, making sure everyone ends up with their clothes and that the towels for my story are folded and put away. I usually cook for my family once a week. I walk, feed, groom, cuddle, and medicate my dog as needed. I help moderate an online group.