Trees

I spent an hour or so visiting with a good friend today--we don't have any easily accessible mountains down here, but there is a beautiful lake surrounded by amazing trees where I sometimes go to think and ponder. Jana and I just talked about life for a while and it was good to regain some perspective. I am grateful for beauty in nature and for good friends.

"Good Timber" by Douglas Malloch

The tree that never had to fight

For sun and sky and air and light

But stood out in the open plain

And always had it's share of rain, 

Never became a forest king

But lived and died a scrubby thing. 

The man who never had to fight,

who never had to win his share of sun

and sky and air and light, 

Never became a manly man

But lived and died as he began. 

Good timber does not grow with ease, 

The stronger the wind, 

The tougher the trees.