Great Trees of a Forest
This was one of the more difficult ones I’ve had to write as the receiver was in deep grief. I couldn’t even hand it to him, only left it on a table with a note when we visited. Years after graduating, a good classmate of ours from high school invited us to his father’s memorial at his home. He was very close to his father, and as he already lost his mother early on, he no longer had living parents. I am very grateful he came to find us later, to thank us for those words which lifted his spirits and gave him hope and perspective.
Having visited the Redwood Forest as well as the old growth Emerald Forest here in Oregon, the impression of towering Great Trees and nursing logs were profound. We often hear the term “family tree.” Yet in the western world, and especially in America where the majority of the population are descendants of immigrants who cut or left their roots to start a new life, the family tree’s roots have been forgotten. Underground and unseen, the roots are easy to forget. However, it is the roots that allow the tree to stay standing. It is the roots that nourish the tree during long hard winters. The wider and deeper the roots go, the stronger and healthier the entire tree will be. Without nourishment from the branches and leaves, the roots will wither and die, and gradually so will the tree.
As our little family of five was the only one here in America, I often felt lonely especially on grandparent’s day at school. My close grandmother had remarried and moved to somewhere called LA, and my other grandparents whom I’ve only met a few times were overseas, as well as any aunts, uncles, or cousins we may have had. I didn’t know I was lacking grounding until the first time I went to visit my husband’s grandparents’ gravesite. Standing there at the top of the mountain where they were rested, it was a powerful moment when I felt for the first time that I had family roots here on this continent.
Spiritual Leader Konko Daijin said, “Place fertilizer at the roots of a tree, then its branches will grow lush. Respect your ancestors and parents, then you will prosper.”
Whether or not you actually know your biological parents and family, every person has descended from somewhere. We all have ancestors. If you feel ungrounded, try grounding yourself by honoring your ancestors regularly. I can guarantee you will feel and see a difference.