Worthy of worship
May 6th, 2024
A curious thing happened yesterday. Well, I didn't think about it as curious when it happened, but then on second thought — I started having some questions. You see, I was riding my bicycle on a bicycle path in the center of my city, right along a river. A man, about sixty years old, crossed the bike path and walked to the willow growing right there. He put both of his hands on the trunk of the tree, and said something like — “Nice to see you again, you growing up beautifully”. What happened next, I don't know, since I kept on riding, but when looking over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of that man standing next to the willow in a pose of prayer.
That was strange. Only after several hours passed, did I think more in-depth about that. And only then did I remember several strange things about the whole situation. First of all, that man looked a lot like me — only ten years older. His behavior was strange, but apparently not to him, since he did something unusual right in a public place. That willow itself is a nice and robust tree, full of green leaves, but it is only one of many of the same willows that grow there. And looking around — there are plenty of other, more impressive threes in that area, so why was this particular one an object of touch and some form of worship from that man?
On the other hand, was that really so strange? Maybe this man has a special, secret relationship with that tree? Maybe it was he who planted it there? Maybe something very important happened to him by this tree? Also, is there anything wrong with touching and talking to trees? I have planted a lot of trees in my life. Some are already sizable and well-growing. I don't remember feeling the urge, or a need to touch them or to talk to them. On the other hand, maybe I should try it. There is no harm in doing that, and maybe I could discover something about myself and my place in nature by doing that. So I will try just that. And there is a wonderful chestnut tree in my garden with which I will start.
