As a boy, I saw the trees as something larger than life. I always looked up to them. The town my grandparents lived in had big trees along the streets and on the properties. There were so many large trees that there was always shade. These big trees made their city so awesome. It was like being inside a forest!

Our family cottage was on the same property as a provincial park which was primarily forested. The roads through the park had tall trees lining the way. Light fell on the road at funny angles and the scent was something else. This forest had the greatest smells which were constantly changing. The morning was different from afternoon and evening was a bit like morning as things got quiet. There was a scent of heat in summer and of moist leaves in the fall.

We also had farming in our family, at the farm, the maples stood stately along the west lawn. Trees lined the creek as it twisted and turned away from the house in both directions. It was a magical place in the late afternoon and evening, sitting and relaxing as the trees shimmered above.

Our house had young trees as did the entire neighborhood. To be amongst larger trees, we had to walk to Thomson Park or Morningside Park. There were big trees here, some of them had shapes and names carved into the bark. I often wondered if a tree felt special that someone had picked it to carve something on.

The story below is a small sample of the joy I’ve experienced with trees and their greater family, the forest.

(Part One – An Introduction)

A most beautiful journey started in the summer of 2015. This is a story of how trees came to me, telling me their story and the wisdom within.