Timber

This morning my tree will be cut down. For 32 years this tree held wonderful memories. People gathered under it for shade at every backyard barbecue. I have a beautiful picture of my sons when they were 6 and 8 years old, arm in arm, standing under it. Last year they struck the same pose, but this time they were each holding their children in their arms. It was the tree that I looked at first thing each morning to see the temperature, as we had a thermometer hanging from it. Until Wednesday, it had been a good friend. Through no fault of its own, it will be gone forever. My backyard will be safer, but now an era has come to an end.