Because of death we appreciate life #17

Quite a compelling picture this one.

You can almost imagine the tree, once standing strong in amongst this beautiful landscape, with the sun shining on its face, saying, ‘is anyone going to miss me?’

And the reply from nature is………………………………………..

From nature’s prespective, this death is just part of the deal. The natural, ebbs and flows, and rhythms of life are just a part of this landscape. In fact there needs to be a passing, for nature to remain this beautiful.

At one time, I am sure this proud tree gave life to its surroundings. Whether it was a next for some birds, or maybe had a hole in its trunk for some animals, who were kept safe in the heights. Maybe a colony of ants who would keep busy, as they went up and down. And then there was the fertiliser of the falling leaves.

In fact in the scheme of things, this tree could have been quite important and life giving, but now there is just silence.

It is just a part of the deal………….

It is a quote from Henry David Thoreau (July 12  1817 – May 6, 1862), who was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher when writing to friend Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1842, that brings this fact into human context:

“Death is beautiful when seen to be law, and not an accident. It is as common as life”

As I have been sharing in my last few weekly blogs, death, although not really something we like to contemplate, is a part of life. It is not some unusual, strange thing, that we will try to escape from. It is inescapable.

‘Great,’ you may be thinking.

Well if life has an end point, it is also good to know, that for most of us, we have not arrived at this point quite yet.

This would bring a sigh of relief to most of us.

But in the meantime, every day we have is a gift, something to be treasured, something to be lived, something we can use to be a positive difference to those around us.

Much like when the tree was alive, and the life it brought to the nature surrounding it.

Although nature may not acknowledge its passing, the tree has made a difference to it.

It has left a legacy, of sorts.

And if we have tried to also make a positive difference in our small part of the world, maybe we too will leave a legacy. 

And it could be the legacy may not be something that can be articulated. It is just a ‘thing’ that has made life better somehow.

Say for instance a Grandparent reading a story to a Grandchild, who is transfixed as they sit on the knee. No words, just a beautiful picture of togetherness, perhaps the grandchild imagining being on an adventure, which they may do for real in future years. But by the simple act of storytelling a seed may be planted.

I am sure the tree had many moments like this. Maybe to be a part of a young bird flying for the first time. Silent and unseen by nature, but significant.

So maybe if our lives are filled with moments like this one, giving flight to dreams, when the natural times comes, we will be able to face it with a bow knowing we have done our best. 

The commentary in this blog is intended to be general in nature. It is just some observations from one fellow traveller in life to another. If anything in this blog raises issues for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or consult with a trusted medical professional. 

Photo by Kim Teves on Unsplash