Difficulty of Choosing
Map
Map
Story & Experience
I think I was registered to go to Washington Crossing Park for this year’s GEE, but one participant is recovering from major surgery, and another is dealing with her cancer diagnosis by traveling only while she is able. So I decided to reflect on issues even closer to home. It was so hot here this past week that I couldn’t bear to go outside to do the GEE until today.
When Russia invaded Ukraine I painted two small pieces of canvas with sunflowers and put them on trees in the front yard. Unbelievably, the destruction continues, so the now moldy paintings stay, though all other neighbors’ gestures of support for Ukraine have disappeared. Next to one of those trees (cherry trees), is a copper beech tree which we planted 32 years ago when our daughter was born. I have recently learned that beech trees are now being devastated like the ash trees, from yet another environmental disaster. So far, mine looks healthy, so I felt gratitude for that. I thought about all the trees in Ukraine and Gaza that have been lost to war – whether cut for wood to burn or destroyed by bombing. I thought about all the ash trees I’ve seen come down, whether by increasingly violent storms or by homeowners who are afraid they will fall and damage property. I felt grateful that my property hasn’t yet experienced major destruction from climate or war, though I did notice that the ground is SUPER dry due to lack of rain this summer. I ended up feeling that there is still more to be grateful for than distressed about. Then I felt grateful for that thought! I will feel very sad if my beech tree succumbs to this new threat. I resolved to keep a closer eye on it than I have. I resolved to project love towards the tree on a regular basis. I thanked the tree for its beauty and service to the birds and insects and shade. I thought about how trees are referred to as the earth’s lungs, and how there are many healthy tree “lungs” near my neighbor to support her in her cancer journey.
I think I was registered to go to Washington Crossing Park for this year’s GEE, but one participant is recovering from major surgery, and another is dealing with her cancer diagnosis by traveling only while she is able. So I decided to reflect on issues even closer to home. It was so hot here this past week that I couldn’t bear to go outside to do the GEE until today.
When Russia invaded Ukraine I painted two small pieces of canvas with sunflowers and put them on trees in the front yard. Unbelievably, the destruction continues, so the now moldy paintings stay, though all other neighbors’ gestures of support for Ukraine have disappeared. Next to one of those trees (cherry trees), is a copper beech tree which we planted 32 years ago when our daughter was born. I have recently learned that beech trees are now being devastated like the ash trees, from yet another environmental disaster. So far, mine looks healthy, so I felt gratitude for that. I thought about all the trees in Ukraine and Gaza that have been lost to war – whether cut for wood to burn or destroyed by bombing. I thought about all the ash trees I’ve seen come down, whether by increasingly violent storms or by homeowners who are afraid they will fall and damage property. I felt grateful that my property hasn’t yet experienced major destruction from climate or war, though I did notice that the ground is SUPER dry due to lack of rain this summer. I ended up feeling that there is still more to be grateful for than distressed about. Then I felt grateful for that thought! I will feel very sad if my beech tree succumbs to this new threat. I resolved to keep a closer eye on it than I have. I resolved to project love towards the tree on a regular basis. I thanked the tree for its beauty and service to the birds and insects and shade. I thought about how trees are referred to as the earth’s lungs, and how there are many healthy tree “lungs” near my neighbor to support her in her cancer journey.
Why this Place?
Ewing, New Jersey
I chose my front yard in Ewing, NJ, because my neighbor, a non-smoker, was just diagonosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She had expressed interest in joining me for the GEE, but after diagnosis, went for a visit to her relatives in another state. Also, I recently learned of an illness afflicting beech trees, one of which we had planted at the birth of our daughter 32 years ago. It is next to my sunflower flag, still tied to the cherry tree. And neighborhood ash trees have been devastated.
Act of Beauty
There wasn’t much to pick up from my lawn, so I used a few sticks, leaves, and branches to make a “bird”. I hung the beautiful yellow Radical Joy flag on the Beech tree.
Additional Photos
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