It is a sad place we come to, a place we go to when we are beyond tears and we feel frozen inside. It is a place of healing where we can feel what we feel without explanations. It is barren like our hearts, a place where we can embrace our despair and own the grip it has upon us. I will sit here for a while then I will say no more. I will leave this place behind because I have felt the emptiness, the sorrow and wrapped my soul around it then I let it go. I sit at the foot of the leaving tree, a place where we leave behind the things that hurt us and became an obstacle to our happiness.
Deep within the forest, far beyond the traveled roads there sits a stone cottage with a walled garden. Just beyond the garden sits the most amazing tree. It is an old oak tree with branches that reach the heavens. At the base of the tree, there is a small plaque. Written on it are the words “Lay your burdens upon this ancient tree. The roots are deep and the branches are strong. We will carry your cast-off burdens so that you may continue upon your journey. Leave them behind here on the leaving tree.”
As I gaze upon this tree I see so many things that were left behind, the burdens were many, pain, sadness, loneliness and sorrow. Even higher in the tree, I saw hate, cruelty, deception, and untruths. Yet I could see the tree was strong and could hold many burdens. That night I hung upon the tree many burdens to be left behind. I slept in the garden that night, a peaceful relaxing unburdened sleep overcame me and I knew peace.
The next morning my steps were light and my heart open to receive the joy and beauty that I felt in abundance. I knew that someday I would need to come back to the cottage deep within the forest and add more to the leaving tree, but today I walk forward, a song within me, a poem unwritten and sandy shores yet to be walked upon. The sounds of birds singing fill the air and the path is smoother now and in the distance I see the first rays of dawn slipping between the trees, the first light of a new day.
Point Of View
On our journey in life, we travel a very long way, after all, it is a lifetime journey. We start our journey looking for adventure, for knowledge, success and most of all love and happiness. We have to be mindful that on our journey we don’t collect more than we can carry. We must travel light so as to not overburden ourselves by collecting things we really don’t need. It is imperative that we regularly take an inventory of what we carry, purging those things that have become troublesome and are an obstacle impeding our travels and slowing us down, even stopping us for long intervals of time.
We must embrace our pain, hang it upon the leaving tree then walk toward the coming dawn and the promise of light. We must unburden ourselves from our sorrow in order to feel life’s boundless joy. Come walk with me toward the light and leave your burdens upon the leaving tree.
I love this Larry a safe place to go to leave all your worries coming out refreshed and ready to face the world again.
Thank you my friend. The Knights Templar started that tradition. They had to had to go to a temple and leave everything behind tied to a tree in the courtyard before they could be knighted
Larry, thank you for guiding me to your words of wisdom. Your perspective plays a strong chord in my life, so thank you for your sage advice.
I am so impressed that you remember the names of your stories. My poems? Out of hundreds, I only remember titles of a few.
Cindy, my dear poet and friend thank you for your kindness!
Oh the love of trees. We share the belief of their magic. Thank you for your magical words.
And as I walk away from the leaving tree my smile became brighter, my steps became lighter, knowing I had shed some of the burden I’d been dragging around. A burden that was not mine but one I’d picked up and did not know how to shed. If you’d not taken me to the leaving tree, I’d still be lugging that weight like an albatross around my neck.
You inspire me, Larry! Thanks for another great read.
Thank you for extending the story. You write with great imagery in your words. I have been talking to Dennis about doing a collaborative story with some my writer friends. Interested?
I would definitely love to hear more!
Thank you for your kind words.
Beautiful article.
Thank you for reading my story. I am truly grateful