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 every property. There were so many large trees that there was always lots of shade. These big trees made their city amazing; 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 were mostly lined by forest, and light fell on the road in thin bands. These forests had the greatest scent, which often changed like the temperature from light to shade. Mornings were different from afternoons, and evenings different yet again. I liked it when things got quiet.

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 or in the evening, to sit and relax as the trees shimmered above.

Our family home had young trees, as did the entire neighborhood, but there were many parks with larger trees to walk among. I remember as a boy seeing names and shapes carved into the bark, and I wondered if a tree felt special when someone carved something on it.

This story is a small sample of the joy I’ve experienced with trees and the forest.

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 sharing the wisdom within.

(Part One – An Introduction)