A Life Without Trees

"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the

eyes of others only a green thing that stand in the way."

William Burke

Years ago while walking the city streets of New York, I  became painfully aware of the absence of trees.  The need to feel grounded prompted me to look up towards the sky in hopes of spotting the tips of trees, but there was only sky.    

This made me wonder about city dwellers and how far they have to travel to experience nature.  The sky is magnificent with figures forming in the clouds, but without the element of green, I truly felt deprived.  In the absence of trees, it felt difficult to breathe and oddly, a lack of protection.

Although I grew up in a large city and lived in an apartment building until college, trees were my every day companions.  They were present in my life throughout the seasons and I marveled at the ability of them to change.  They initiated a strength in me and were always successful in grounding me in the midst of city dwelling.  I genuinely cannot imagine a life without trees.