What Kind of Tree am I?

I have always been fascinated by trees. I think they have personality - the way they are structured, the way they lean toward the sunlight, the way they react to wind, rain and snow.

Driving through Northern California and New Jersey are particularly interesting for me because of this. I want to pull over and just stand and admire the trees and sit under their shade.

For the first time, I got a chance to see a tree go through its four seasons. Fall in the Garden State was magnificent. The trees were bedecked in their finest colors, like a bevy of women vying for attention at a beauty pageant. The rich tones of reds and golds against the light and shadows were spectacular.

Then came winter, the bare branches covered in snow and ice were now like a bridal gallery with dresses for all sizes and shapes. As the snow melted, and the rains came, the bare trees seemed like a showroom of pallid, naked manequins - reminiscent of a business that was shutting down its doors. Dark brown barks and branches pulled down by the weight of the snow were being cut up for firewood or to be turned into mulch.

As spring softly arrived, nature reminded me of a theatrical production. As if a million wardrobe artists were feverishly sewing on ruffles and buttons, the branches were soon blossoming and blooming. While Fall's colors were more vibrant, Spring's clothesline was more whites and pinks with brighter yellows and greens. Like a well-rehearsed performance, the trees were soon swaying to the music of the chirping birds and the sounds of laughter.

Soon it will be summer - the leaves will take on a deeper hue. More people will be seeking the protection offered by the shade of a tree. Squirrels will be whizzing by, stopping to take an occasional look at something someone has tossed in its direction. There will be picnics and the smell of barbeques blending in with the smell of the acorns, maple and other blossoms. For a brief moment, man and nature will be in unison.

There is a theory that everyone has a seasonal color - that winter people look good in blacks, grays and silver and that spring people look good in pastels. I look good in the jewel tones of Fall and the metallic dark tones of winter. I also think that if I were a tree, I would be a small evergreen. I would survive the seasons, provide a bit of shade and always look toward the sun, even when it doesn't seem to be there.

Have you ever wondered what tree you would be?

Nature vs Nurture

Many years ago, my daughter was born on May 4 by C-section and I had to spend Mother's Day in the hospital. As I held this precious little girl in my arms, I thought she was going to be a replica of me.

Watching her grow, I realized that she wasn't. Her features seemed more like her dad's, her coloring was more like my dad's and her personality seemed more like her dad's too. I must admit that I was a bit surprised.

Off an on, I saw glimpses of me in her - her love for stories, reading and writing ... and her ability to be a spelling ace.

Along came High School - all of a sudden, this shy little girl started imitating movie characters to perfection. She had an uncanny ability to memorize several minutes of dialogue. So, when she chose drama, I was ecstatic because finally there was some inherent talent that she seemed to have inherited from me. She loved it so much, that I encouraged and nurtured this love and I wish her much success in using her natural talents and her winsome personality.

Being a mom has taught me that there are certain things that are natural and certain things that are developed by inculcating an interest. Upon introspection, I have learned that genetics come from both sides and come from a long lineage of traits we love and those we don't want to embrace.

I have also seen first hand that values are caught, not taught. And, like it or not, at some point we do become our mother's daughters.

Mother's Day 2011

A friend of mine sent this to me and I had to share it because I can relate ...

Before I was a Mom,  

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.                       

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations. 

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on.. Peed on.                       

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. 

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.  Or give shots. 

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.                      

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.                       

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.                       

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much. 

I  never knew I would love being a Mom.                        

Before I was a Mom,I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..                       

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. 

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.                       

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. 

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.                       

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.                       

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom 

I echo every sentiment in there and no matter how old my children get, they will always be my kids, and I will worry about their safety and happiness.

What are your thoughts?