Guest author Lindsay Johnstone reflects on a house, a family, and two trees—140 years of history intertwined. What happens when the trees are cut down?
Rich with feeling. “We had forgotten we lived with only an illusion of certainty about our life chances.” More and more, I see stark reminders of this cropping up. It’s unsettling every time, and yet has the potential to make us more expansive, more compassionate, more connected to the world and people around us. Lindsay’s writing here does just that.
So much of this resonated! A really touching piece. A few years ago we had to have a diseased copper beech cut down, it was about the same age as the house (c.1920) and it felt like I was fracturing something. We planted a sliver birch in its place so maybe that will be there for some future family.
Trees by homes are our companions through generations, sheltering and shading, with us during times of sorrow and joy. Steadfast. Thank you for a beautiful piece that recalled warm memories in the company of a tree.
House history is so poignant. These things we discover happened RIGHT HERE (sorry - I'm not shouting, just need the emphasis.) It can feel so strange, thinking of it all, until it reverts to 2025.
Rich with feeling. “We had forgotten we lived with only an illusion of certainty about our life chances.” More and more, I see stark reminders of this cropping up. It’s unsettling every time, and yet has the potential to make us more expansive, more compassionate, more connected to the world and people around us. Lindsay’s writing here does just that.
A lot to think about. Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate the part about the principle of wanting to keep and respect the trees, and how the story is about family <3 and home.
So much of this resonated! A really touching piece. A few years ago we had to have a diseased copper beech cut down, it was about the same age as the house (c.1920) and it felt like I was fracturing something. We planted a sliver birch in its place so maybe that will be there for some future family.
This is so wonderful and how I feel about home. I love that the felling of the trees isn’t just a loss, it’s a renewal and a letting in of the light.
Trees by homes are our companions through generations, sheltering and shading, with us during times of sorrow and joy. Steadfast. Thank you for a beautiful piece that recalled warm memories in the company of a tree.
House history is so poignant. These things we discover happened RIGHT HERE (sorry - I'm not shouting, just need the emphasis.) It can feel so strange, thinking of it all, until it reverts to 2025.