A tree that sprouted the same day you were born
Somewhere in the world, there is a tree that sprouted the same day you were born. Isn’t that wonderful? Amidst millions of trees growing in this world, imagine how many kinds were born on the same day as you and have been growing along with you ever since — entwined with your existence.
Imagine that one seed started to sprout on your first sudden cry in this world. At first, it was one tiny sprout; slowly, it began to branch out, and you celebrated your one-year birthday. On your first day of school, the seedling grows into a sapling, into a small young tree with more leaves as your hair grows long. The sapling continues to grow taller as your height does the same. As you reach your teenage years, it also starts to branch out more and more and more, and the day passes. Somewhere beneath the sky, it keeps growing with you. Isn’t that wonderful?
Being the oldest entities on the earth, trees existed long before humans. With its various types and kinds, the tree is embodied as the purest entity to protect and nurture the world. Trees will ensure that a living being can always depend on one or two things from their body. Their branches and leaves offer solace and sustenance. Even in their death, trees will continue the life cycle and accompany life on every side of the world. It is wonderful to know that I have grown with them.
It touches my senses as I remember that this world does not only need a pretty flower. The earth also needs the sturdy banyan, the resilient mangrove, or even the eucalyptus with leaves that may not be very lush. It’s peaceful enough to know that various types of trees aren’t so eye-pleasing and as pretty as flowers, but I know for sure that each of them will always nurture the earth. Whatever the seed grows into. Each will never betray the world, even when it goes on its wicked ways. Every kind of tree is just the same. All of them need to be here in this world. All of them have their own place on every side of the world. Flourishing in their own way, but they are still here for the world.
It also does the same for us. Like how each tree flourish into their own beings, perhaps we are not meant to bloom beautifully and become a pretty rose or tulip for the world. Perhaps you and I are more like eucalyptus that looks fragile from the outside, but its root is as strong as an oak. Or perhaps we are more like a willow species that loves the rain, and we will just love to clear the air so that every living being can breathe easily. And despite any kind of tree we radiate, perhaps all we have to do is just to grow — to thrive for the earth. To grow in our own way. Grow into our own shape, kind, type, and form. Perhaps we just need to grow surely and steadily as who we are toward the sky. You might also give something to the world, even the most mere thing; you also have a place in this world.
And for that, I wish we were always lightened with a warm sun each day. Even on a day when it is raining, may every drop be tender upon us. May the breeze whisper softly, touch our leaves, and ask them to dance happily in every phase of our growth. I hope our roots anchor deeply, wrapping the earth with strength and nurturing our lives. And whatever things that might happen, we will grow just as beautiful and strong on any side of the world.
When the tree has its time to fight the season, fungi will start living inside of them, each part of them will decompose, and all the matter will enrich the earth’s ground with nutrients. It will be used again by other trees that are born — It will create a new life cycle. And in this grand cycle, may we never feel alone anymore. Even in our solitude, know there is a tree somewhere, enduring the same strong wind for several days, followed by sunny weather and another storm on the other days. Its leaves were soaked and limp, its roots drenched in water, radiating our soul enough. Yet, it continues to live and grow with us, towards the sky.
Even when the rains are harsh or the winds relentless, may we hold our roots steadily, always.
