Trees

BY JOYCE KILMER

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

As I looked at the tree planted in my mom’s memory, I thought, “What next? What can I do this month to remember her?

I decided to make a list of 24 things, in honor of her birthday on September 24.

1. Write an encouraging letter to someone ( done, see last post)
2. Donate to Elim Christian Services, an organization that helps those with special needs- done
3. Donate to Purdue Campus House, the church where her granddaughter attends- done
4. Donate blood- not done yet
5. Work on my book, Pandemic Principal- need to do
6. Give away items I don’t need– need to do
7. Send a box of goodies to her other grandchildren away at college.
8. Write a note to her sister, Janie. She lives by herself.
9. Read a book by Beverly Lewis, one of her favorite authors.
10. Eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. This was really one of her favorites.
11. Eat Dove Chocolate (s).
12. Order some Dutch peppermints for our family. We actually passed these out at her funeral.

#13-24— Stuck for now. I will need to revisit.

Remembering those we love who passed away— important, valuable, and thought- provoking.