This fall I had the privilege of helping Chad with the last roof job of the season. Myles had just put his neck out and was unable to assist and with the kids in school anyway, I volunteered for the job. The job was located quite a ways south of where we lived, and the area was quite remote and peaceful. As many farms do, this one had a healthy row of strong trees to the west for a windbreak. I love trees, so when I was waiting for the next assignment I would often observe the trees.
I noticed that while they were all pretty close to the same height, none of them were the same. It intrigued me to think about it. After all, they were all close enough together to have experienced the same winds, storms, and changes in weather. No tree was ugly, they were all tall and strong, but each had developed differently.
Often, we are like trees. Especially when you consider families. We grow up with the same teachings, parents, siblings, and basic environment and yet each family member will learn and remember different things from similar experiences. That doesn't mean that one is more correct or better than the other. Instead, like the trees, each is tall, strong and beautiful. Each develops strengths that help to withstand the winds of adversity that life always guarantees, and yet, when family members stand together, the winds of adversity are diminished in their strength in much the same way as trees create a wind block for the farmhouse we worked on.
In addition to the marvelous trees, we had a lovely view of the Sweet Grass hills just south of the border. Having injured my arm only the previous month, it wasn't easy doing a roofing job. In fact I wasn't allowed to do much... my good husband made sure of that. However, I am so grateful for the opportunity it gave me to enjoy the area, the beauty and the peace that nature always offers me.
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