Yesterday was the first day of summer and Rick and I got the heck of Dodge. We made our annual sojourn from Houston to Carmel where we escape the summer heat. While I can’t technically explain it, having cardiomyopathy makes me heat intolerant. Something to do with not enough circulation to both cool my body and provide blood to vital organs.
We haven’t been here since March and things have changed. The apricots are ripening on the tree. The bougainvillea are in bloom. The magnolia trees are budding. The hydrangea that Gabriel pruned to oblivion is coming back.
But the large tree that grows up from a hole in our deck is not doing well. I’m not sure what kind of a tree it is. We’ve already had to cut back the dead branches. We have white twinkle lights wrapped around its multiple trunks, creating a touch of whimsy after dark. It partially blocks our back neighbor. It provides shade from the direct afternoon sun. And it’s dying.
I am a worrier. I worry in anticipation of things that have not yet happened. I am prepared for every scenario. I’ve got a plan A, B and C. So when we got here yesterday, I started planning what we would do on the back deck after the tree completely dies. I figure it has at least one more year left, possibly several more. At least enough life in it to keep the trunks in place for the twinkle lights.
Then it occurred to me. The tree might outlast me. Why in the world am I obsessing about it. Why don’t I just enjoy it while it lasts. Take one day at a time and all that… I tried it. It lasted a couple of hours. Then I thought, how about a big patio umbrella. It doesn’t use any water and it won’t die.
Just Passing Through 