How hard is to plant a willow tree?

Hello pen-friends….My intention for today will be revealed soon.I love you too!

I have imagined this story starting many different ways yet this week brought up so many insights adding layers and layers to it in the most unexpected ways.Sometimes quite sad.

I have been thinking now for a while of this memory I had as a kid growing up.A memory that even today is very clear in my mind.

My mum loved to get in the car with us and go places.My dad would be our designated driver for all errands, discoveries, this and that and more. He loved driving and he was one with his car. Our old Dacia retired when she was 30 something year old. Repaired and improved and painted and repainted and reimagined. ( reminds me that is in fact a story for another letter….

So here we go on a daily trip to Curtea-de-Arges, another town in our county well renowned for its cathedra holding space for a remarkable legend called Manole legend.It is sought for miraculous properties and so much more.It is a place of pilgrimage and soul searching for centuries in our popular culture. The legend is mostly about sacrifice and it was also a legend very difficult to accept or simply understand as a child. Having said that - the story today is not about this however I have to acknowledge it has deep roots in my upbringing and our inherited nature to be of service and put other people first. We grew up from these roots.It just takes a looooot of unfolding to also accept this as a matter of fact.

Back to the “little”road trip.It is not very far away from our hometown. There is also short-cut to reach there, quite hilly and unkempt, rough little road, finding its ways through all the villages making the region. It is a tad better nowadays, not so many holes and weird obstacles in the asphalt but to be honest at the time of the story that was quite an unpleasant ride.

I cannot remember now how and why I had this impulse maybe just by looking at different villages and their gardens which can be quite an inspiration for all of us as the scenery is totally worth it ,I have asked my mum if we can plant a willow tree in our grandma’s orchard.

Thinking about it now -I mostly associated with my grandma’ on my father side backyard. There was a little pond many years back and maybe one or more willows.Quite idyllic in a way with frogs jumping around, heavily protected by my grandma as she was always afraid I will jump in and she kept calling my name anytime I would get closer…. Her mission in life was to be my eternal guardian …. Fight off all the possible “evil forces” or “ bad influences” off. Oh yes it was a major theme. Whenever I heard “Mari ! “ I got goosebumps. She is in fact the only one calling me this name. Luckily today, no one really can pronounce this the same way she did.

Back to the question. It looked that I dropped a grenade in the middle of the hills. We were on our way back already, going down the hill and my father did like a little speed especially if the road was clear. Had to hold off the window handle sturdily not to fly from one side to the other of the back bench. Plus imagine some serious bumps in the road occasionally.

A willow tree??? My mum repeated like what it seemed to me 100 times.

It was already a big thing to ask for me, now do I have also to explain it?

So, here I am saying boldly- yes, a willow tree, it is so beautiful with its long branches, it is nice when is windy, is almost like a singing tree, and it gives a nice shadow where I can seat and read when I go to grandma’s. I believe that were my simple arguments.

I cannot remember how old I was but for sure I got already the taste of reading.

The answer I would say was quite straightforward. “Dar nu are nimeni ,draga,la noi in sat asa ceva.Nu o sa plantez eu acum unul. Asta e culmea” ….. My country fellows will understand how encouraging was the tone. It meant something like” My dear! No one has such tree in our village and I am not going now to plant one.That is ridiculous”.

I did stand up in my way to make a case and I kept saying - but how is this the village business,our garden is our garden and we already have different kind of trees.Walnut trees, linden trees, fruits trees of all sorts- a nice little orchard- plum tree, apple tree, pear, sourcherry tree,we try to plant every year something… isn’t’ it?

I did have a good argument, you know. I felt very supported by my own logic.

The dialogue- very short in fact - went a bit like this….

“But why is so hard really to have a willow tree?”

“I am not sure what got into you, frankly ?

“Where do you get all ideas from?”

“Have you seen any willow tree there?

“And is going to make a big shadow, it needs space - we grow fruits not useless trees”

“It is just different from everyone else. Do not be silly, we are not going to plant one, dear ”

The clear message and end of the conversation really was so simple and non-negotiable that I pretty much did not know what else to do but just shut up.

It was a big case of misunderstanding for me. Hard to comprehend anything really.

A willow tree for me it meant then a little oasis, maybe my own little reading nook in the garden I believe …I was already visualising so many sweet future moments there.

This dream vanished. I stayed with the rocky, bumpy ,curvy hill road instead that always reminds me even today of disagreements, arguments, crushed dreams.

The bigger question stemming from this marks my everyday life even today. Our lives. Sometimes stronger .Sometimes I sense it there diffused and deeply embossed in all decisions we might take.

I am acutely aware that is the root of many bumps in the road we are facing. A little creativity even, a little difference , a little standing out from others generates all these thousand questions back and we end up defending our position rather than embracing an idea, rather than embracing the person who had the idea, rather than opening to the idea of new possibilities and imagining another future that this “difference” might bring in our life.

And is not about a deep wish to stand out really. It is more about embracing all these aspects that we bring into a conversation, into a home, into a family, into a workplace that are all gems of creativity. That face a lot of resistance to be embraced and be welcomed, sometimes even to be expressed ,to come to light.

Imagine for just one second the flip of that coin - the opening, the space we could create just by letting someone experiment something, express a different idea, welcoming into the space.

Thinking now about the willow tree I also have seen it almost like a connection, like a fascinating layer to everything so far I had experienced.

We did not have google then. I might have tried to go to a library and search about symbolism you think? I was not that deep really as a child or “scientific” in my approach. I just felt the willow tree with me in that garden.I could see the corner where we would plant it. It is still vivid clearly in my imagination.I can be there and read - you can all find me there the moment I finish this weekly letter. With out dog Micky who follows us everywhere jumping off fences and everything if needed just to watch over us.

So….they say the following: “the willow tree is a symbol of flexibility and adaptability. It stands for human’s capabilities to withstand hardships, loss, different emotions.A symbol of a survivor and a symbol of rebirth”.

You can find of course entire articles on this- it is truly fascinating. Here is one of them….

Willow tree symbolism

I would not say further … we all relate aren’t we. We all need this little green oasis with its long branches brushing our shoulders, brushing our cheeks.”We are still here you know- says the willow. We might be different in this garden, but we are welcomed in other gardens. Or should you like, you can make your own garden and plant me.Start anew. Start anew with an oasis”

Here it is my intention for today for all of us. Create or find your little oasis.

I have much more to say, my draft is longer, had lots of touch points for you….. as this subject I feel is really a big one and is a lovely Sunday today. Let’s all stop at the oasis part.

I would add two more references for you should you like.

I mentioned before I love Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad.Ever since I shared my first story here with you, my youtube is inundated by their interviews .I have discovered a much bigger world around them and I am so glad I have found them in my life.They inspire me so much every day. Creative amazing forces. Withstanding all together and flourishing.

Jon Batiste launched a new album. “World Music Radio”. I cannot stop listening and it was the very amazing soundtrack of this weekly letter. In one of his interviews he says….” I am not playing piano , this is a dream, I am dreaming now….. I dream all the time” . I loved this so much. We are “unboxable”- we are not the box that someone else wants to see us in.Period.

Searching about the willow tree this week…. I remembered I read a really amazing book. The tree here is the bamboo yet the association is similar …..

Would you find it mesmerising to hear that I have bamboo trees blended in the “jungle” I live now in. It is the flora of the this very island I now reside on.And this is my neighboor’s garden…. I did not plant anything here myself - I do enjoy thoroughly the scenery and the oasis I dreamt about is here more than present today.Not only in my heart or head.

I would dare to ask you…. Which tree has been calling you? I am adding walnut trees to my dreams…. I dare to admit. The depth of the colour and its warmth ,it stability.Will talk few years later about it….

Sending lots of love…. Stay well and different and keep creating your dreams. Happy Sundays wherever you are.