October 19, 2016

• Looking at Lasting Love

  Every Sunday is the family ice cream night with my in laws. Several weeks ago Sparky and I were discussing geocaching at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve when his parents mentioned that they used to go there as a family to hike and enjoy the trails. Then they mentioned that they had carved their initials into a tree and that people were encouraged to do so on this particular tree. We didn't think much about it until we were at Fernwood and passed a tree on which multitudes of people had carved their names. Next to the tree was a plaque that stated that carving into the bark of the tree would leave an indelible mark and more importantly result in the tree becoming susceptible to insects, fungus, and rot thus shortening the life of the tree. This was followed by a stern warning that defacing the trees was prohibited! We looked at each other and thought "Oh no, we have vandals in the family!" We examined the tree but there were no tell-tale initials of the suspected lawbreakers. With a sigh of relief we wandered onward. About an hour later we came upon 2 more trees covered with what would pass as tree tattoos. And there at eye level was the proof. Enduring for the life of the tree, and possibly beyond the life spans of those who carved it were the initials of Sparky's parents professing their love...

  

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