A eulogy for my giving tree:

I spent my childhood with the willow tree in my front yard.

She was breathtaking.

And every day that we spent together was a new adventure.

She taught me how to dance through the storms and roaring winds that came my way.

I think I love the rain because of her.

Everyone else wanted to be a rock star when they grew up, or a movie star, or an astronaut.

But I just wanted to grow up to be like her. 

I wanted to be like her because she was so beautiful. And it wasn't a fake beauty that you see plastered all over magazines and commercials. 

It was a real beauty.

I wanted to be like her because she was so strong. And it wasn't a strength that you get from weights and protein shakes.

It was a real strength.

I drew my strength from her the day I went to the kite festival. And that day was the hardest day my little soul had ever had.

In my little world of too much change, there she stood:

 Constant. 

We moved away that August and left my best friend behind. 

I still came down once a month for visitation. 

But one day I found nothing but a stump. 

Still beautiful. Still strong...

Dear Willow,

I miss you.