(can be spelled "Crape" Myrtle too)
Here's a close up of some of it's branches...
I planted this one, along with 3 others, 4 years ago.
Last summer when it bloomed I discovered it had 2 different colored flowers growing on it- one half of the tree/shrub had pink flowers, the other half were white :)
To me- it is the most beautiful Crepe Myrtle I have ever seen- and I have never seen another one like it.
This shrub started off with one root...just like the others I planted- but this one grew taller, and broader, and always bloomed the best of all the others.
But this one speaks to me- I come in contact with it almost every day...it's on my side of the driveway- it brushes my car everytime I drive out.
Mostly it makes me think of my closest friend and I... but of other friends too.
It makes me think about Unity and Freedom. A connection at our foundation, but the freedom to grow and become who and what we were meant to become.
I love this tree- I don't wish for it to be anything other than what it is.
In some ways this tree represents my life at the moment- and when I take the time to stop and look at it- I am stunned at how lovely it is.
It isn't perfect...but few things are. I have made big mistakes- but nothings's died.
If I ever move from this house- I will miss this Crepe Myrtle...but until then- it reminds me everyday to be grateful.
And if different colored flowers can grow from the same root, on the same tree, then I of course see something else~
What makes us different is part of what makes us so beautiful.
And when you see that, and I see that...we are united in love-- but still free to express ourselves- free to disagree- but being mindful to be kind- to choose our words carefully.
We may branch out and reach extremes sometimes- but there is a way to get back to the center...a way to be connected...a way to realize that I am yours, and you are mine.
When the rains come- we both get wet. When the sun rises, we both bask in it's glory.
If a dog comes over, we'll both get peed on :)
Life is funny that way~and I am thankful...
-Cora/Mayden :)
(I was speaking of dogs in general- not my beloved pooch K9! :)
28 comments:
Your tree analogy is lovely and true. We do all come from the same root. We ought to be able to disagree while at the same time respect each others opinions. And as you wrote, it would behoove us to "be kind - to choose our words carefully". Yes, we do all equally get wet, but, Cora, when that dog comes and lifts it's leg....i'm jumping back. You can jump with me, of course, if you want :).
What a nice post.
and a great smile.
I have had a headache for 3 ays.
this post makes me feel better.
Thanks
;-)
What a special treat! Crepe Myrtle does not grow in this climate, so viewing the lovely photos of it was a pleasure! :)
Thank you for this wonderful post, Cora. I love the analogy you so amazingly created. I hope you are having a good night with sweet dreams.
Schaumi- LOL! Yeah- I was thinking that if we were trees that we might not be able to "jump and run"- but if the trees could walk in Narnia...they can in my world too! :) (get puppy- get- and we swat at them with our branches- gently of course! :)
Infinitesimal- I am truly sorry about the headace- I so understand...My husband of 17 years has suffered with migranes since he was 3. He is now 37.
I hope- sincerly- that you get some relief soon- I know what agony they can be~ sleep well tonight :) Thnnk you for stopping by :)
Miss E- Thank you :) I am so glad you came over- I read your post about the Egyptians and could just imagine you with your 5 yr olds- dancing in the class room! :) I was thinking of you this afternoon as I was putting dishes away ("Adobo" chicken- Philippino dish for dinner :)
The little ones are lucky to have you :)
Did you send a reply about Sons and Lovers? Sometimes my hotmail loses things- and it's ok if you didn't- I just didn't want to have missed something from you :)
I just finished helping with a Geography project- ohhh- 7th grade is soooo much fun :) Thank you for your kind thoughts- I will rest well tonight- hubby is home from his fishing trip! :)
I've often used the tree root analogy to illustrate not only a commonality that we can find, but rather the consciousness we all share.
X~ Are you doing ok? You've felt kind of off the radar to me- but it could just be my imagination...
and I know you are swamped trying to finish big things.
You have been in my thoughts- hope all is well :)
Nice analogy.
The dirty part of my mind (a major part) does wonder if we are threes what consitutes dangling fruits :D
sometimes, Cora, subtleties elude me :).....
Well if your dog reference toward the end WASN'T about k9, then it must be about me! And I'm not sure how to feel about that.
Also, thank you for teaching me about the "Crepe Myrtle". Is this where crepe paper (the sinister material of many a torturous kindergarten project from my troubled youth) comes from?
bark bark bark
'mornin! nice post dear mayden!
loving the crepe's and the myrtles too
and i would never release a warm golden pilar on such a metaphoracal tree. thats whyat hydrants are for.
/grrrrrrrrrrr
SJ- Dangling fruits? Ap"pear"antly you are suffering from hunger- not a dirty mind! lol :)
Schaumi- and sometimes I get a little too deep into the metaphor ;P
PW- if the collar fits...lol! Kidding! I wasn't talking about you either :) Did you ever taste crepe paper? It's salty! Don't ask me how I know- but I've spent a lot of time with 5 yr olds! lol:)
K9- Good morning to you :)
Your honor is ever with you- *smooch*
I was just working out my response to this post as I was reading it. I'd planned on making a crack about dogs pissing on our happy bit of unity...but you beat me to it.
iamnot- great minds?
Tim's grandmother used to say...
Great minds run along the same irrigation ditch- lol :)
Can't beat that Minnesota humor, can we? :)
No Fair Mayden, I was always more of a paste eater. Gee, now that I think about it, I hope the paste didn't cause any permanant damage.
Had I know about the saltiness of crepe paper, it could've provided an excellent counterpoint to the sweetness of my paste meals.
Nice tree, m'dear, so pretty; white and pink
and planted by yer very hand, it must really make ya think.
There's some "CREATOR" in ya also, well at least a shepherd be.
And, oh, by the way, thanx fer stoppin by t'see
My show
although
you'll know
it's a joke, and so,
with that I'm off because I fergot t'post m'favorite larson. laughed alot, and now I wants t'share some.
Off radar? Haven't moved much, Mayden:-)
My psychic radar goes haywire sometimes X...and it was a busy weekend keeping the kids occupied- maybe it was me that was off :)
Wasn't the pup infront of the piano cute??? I wish Bman could have gotten a pic of kermit standing next to the dog...that would have been fun- Reminds me of an evening I spent at AC Moore a few weeks ago...
:)
Bonseman is quite talented.
nice metaphor/analogy. how is wish the world at large saw this point, too.
makes me sad to know many many people out there don't see things that way.
;D
Another reason for my siesta from blogging this week is to catch up on important emails. ;)
/bark bark bark
puerileuwaite: have your tried play-doh? it has a nice salty taste...a lovely counterpoint to paste. both can stain though
mayden, g'mornin!
/grrrrrrrrrrr
Actually I have, k9. The "yellow" is my favorite. For some reason I don't trust the "blue". But I have mixed the two to make my own version of Soylent Green (I was a Sci Fi nerd). Thanks.
Velvet-
I am guilty of forgetting- and yet there are things all around me that serve as reminders. I guess that's true for everyone- but not everyone is open to it. Thank you for coming by :)
Miss E- I have some letters to catch up on, as well as email- I wish I was with you on the beach :)
My turn is coming this weekend though! :)
/t- Thank you~ I'm guessing that your climate is too cold for this shrub? If it won't grow in Miss E's area- I doubt it would survive farther north.
Planting trees and big shrubs is kind of like being a parent (only a heck of a lot easier!)- I've tended to it- pruned it- watered it...killed the Japanese beetles that bother it every June- and now it TOWERS over me- and it was just a tiny thing when I planted it.
I love working in my yard and watching things thrive...
PW and K9- you 2 have me almost in the floor laughing! Quit eating the pre-school supplies! I need them! Cookies and milk for both of you!!! :) (If you don't have a belly ache from the paste and playdough! :)
/bark bark bark
i have also eaten crayons and matches. in fact, i got switched for eating matches.
for ya'll non southerners a switchin is when your mama holds your wrist real tight like, and takes a thin green branch and wears you out with it, stripein up and down ya legs while you dance around hooting and trying to avoid the sting. 'course i always had red stripes of shame all over me as a pup. grrherherhaha
(damn that aunty belle has messed up my talkin. i used to use formal english!! grrrrr!)
puerileuwaite: i dont think any dogs got converted to soylent green if memory serves *whew*
i prefer the pink day glo doh myself......
/howl
cora-this is a great analogy...but i also see it as one person that has 2 opposite sides to their personality...
Libby- do you mean me personally, or people in general? I would agree in either case.
My spiritual gift is that of "encouragement"- but- the thing I struggle with is being "critical".
The 2 things are polar opposites- and when I am in the right frame of mind, the encourager in me is wonderful- but when I'm crossed, or angry, or hurt- oh, it's not pretty.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this (not about me so much :)- about how you see this in your life and the people around you.
Good to see you :)
Lovely story, and such a unique tree. I remember my mother's crepe myrtle bushes, my she loved them. Even she NEVER had one that grew two colors of flowers, you are a lucky girl.
Oh my God--I LOVE crape myrtles, but I've never seen these colors! The redbud tree in front of my house my be dying suddenly, planting a crape myrtle could maybe console me.
Your tree reminds me of my cherry tree--it has a main trunk, and a separate one from the base off to the side, with very tiny flowers and fruit. (must be a shoot from the rootstock) We had a devestating plague of caterpillars (since cleared up) and the main tree was completely eaten to the bone...but they didn't TOUCH the offshoot! So many mysteries...
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