Message of the Tipping Tree
Two tall and thin trees grace the view outside my living room window. One grows straight up, and the other tips to the right. It curves at the top and looks like the tree version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I’ve lived here for eighteen years, and it’s never fallen. If I tipped to the right for many years, I may have tired out and tipped all the way over, but the tree still stands strong. Why is that? I realize that I’m only seeing part of the story. The tree has many deep roots in the ground below, which anchor it strong and steady in the earth. Perhaps the tree tips because it’s weathered many wind and rain storms. Overtime, those forces could’ve tipped it to the right. The wind often comes here from the ocean toward the tree, so it could’ve pushed it over some. The tree next to it may be straight because the tipping tree protects it from the offshore breeze. Why does the tipping tree speak to me so much? It’s because I am like the tipping tree. The tipping tree is not perfect ...