How to Mourn a Tree

We know that God giveth and God taketh away. That's a statement we've grown up with. In the past month, I've had to mourn the loss of my favorite childhood pet, my roommate's cat, and now the loss of a 300 year old Burr Oak tree at one of my favorite places in the world--Rock Springs 4-H Center. Yesterday, winds of up to 80 mph took down this beautiful tree.

It is estimated that the tree was full grown when the US gained its freedom from Great Britain. The tree stood in the center of the campus and was a central location for photo ops, lost campers, and evening games of capture the flag. Walking across campus, this tree was the sign that you were almost to the pool for a swim or that you still had a long way to walk to get to archery. In the other direction, you were getting close to the dining hall for some of Rock Springs' famous homemade rolls or back to the cabins to get dressed up for the talent show.

The loss of a tree like this is not just about losing a piece of shrubbery or about God taking back what He has given to us in beauty. This tree was enjoyed by decades of children who were learning to be independent for the first time, learning about natural history, or playing a game of tag while waiting for the concession stand to open up. I think I was so touched by the loss of this tree because, after having spent 18 years of my life attending camps, dog bowls, or working at Rock Springs, my children will not get the opportunity to see an ever growing rarity in this world--"old nature."

Very few people can say that they've rested under a 300 year old tree, much less a 20 year old tree. In my neighborhood alone, there is one tree that might be about 6 months old. Many people can say that they experienced their first kiss (yes, red and blue probably made purple a few times under this tree :), or rolled down a hill for the first time on their side, or played a their first Native American game at the base of this tree. This tree was a resting place, a play place, a guiding compass, and, to many, the center of the most beautiful place on earth.

I am hoping this area of the camp can be preserved to show future generations God's power and presence.

Photos courtesy of Gordon Hibbard