the house mother owned as an antique shop, Lake City Co.

The mulberry tree was planted in 1964. I was in the eighth grade. Mama said it would grow faster than other trees, that's why she chose it. Years later it appeared in the local news because it was one of the largest trees in town. Back in West Texas, trees were scarce so you planted them to shade your house and yard. I didn't pay much attention to it for the next several years with sports,cheer leading and of course boys . When my family moved to another town, my grandparents moved in and became the official caretakers of the tree. On visits back home, the tree would be the first welcomed sight as we pulled into the drive way. My kids would scramble out of the car and run over to climb up her massive trunk to their favorite branches. We were always amazed at how much she had grown. It was a statue that represented happier times, stable homes with squealing kids and grand kids as they swung from her strong arms with rich, green leaves and played under her broad cool shade. Sadly one day when we were driving through our old home town we decided to go back by the house and see the tree..As we turned down our street we could see the bare yard and the sun beating down against the house. The new owners had cut down the beautiful tree. My grandparents were gone now and the tree that was so much apart of our childhood would now just be a memory,but a good memory. I still think about it and all that she has represented to me through the years. The love, security ,faith and strength of a family and a time when things seemed much safer and simpler....Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.