CONTRIBUTED CONTENT: Apocalypse now?

Being transparent, my mind and emotions are all over the map as I sit down to write this week’s article and far from tree-related topics.

A senseless act of arson seems to have rendered homeowners homeless in Spokane, folks trying to get a burger in Twin Falls shot dead. Widening divisions in our democratic system, distant wars I know little about. Smoke in our sky clouding the sun, traffic congestion and road rage in all directions, rising cost of everything. Data centers coming to a town near you. “You need a permit for that” and “here is fine for not getting permission first.”

In 1989, Billy Joel wrote the lyrics to a very catchy song after a conversation about how every era has its share of chaos. The chorus says “We didn’t start the fire, it’s always been burning since the world's been turning. We didn’t start the fire, no, we didn’t light it but we tried to fight it.”

If you know the song you know the lyrics. Could this era do a stellar rewrite of those lyrics for our current time or what?

I have about 200 more words to turn this thing around and leave you with something positive. It’s a big ask for my current state of mind but something I have learned in the past is that it’s OK to acknowledge when it’s not OK. We are human. Pause. Take a moment. Take a day. Connect with your higher power and listen. You are here now for a reason. You have a purpose. This is your time, your breath and even your chaos. What will you do with it? What will you pass on?

Last week, I met with a customer who I have known for several years. I often ask those who are older than me a bit about their lives. She told me about the financial wisdom of her husband, who had passed. She told me about a college-age granddaughter who she was going to spend the day with at the mall. She told me about one of her sons she lost to a tragic illness. She told me about a former student who returned in his 50s and told her how she had impacted his life as a teacher for a small thing she had done, and he never forgot.

As I drove away, I remembered her smile despite the ebb and flow of tragedy and triumph in her life.

It gave me hope and I remembered Robert Frost's words. “The best way out is always through.”

I promise to bring some tree-related topic to the table next week, but as I always end, for further (tree related questions please,) quotes or consultations give us a call today, 208-762-5800.

For more information on Grace Tree Service, check out our website at gracetreeservice.com.