Nadine J Walters – My Life

On my walk this morning, I passed a beautiful mimosa tree, full of gorgeous blooms. This is one of my very favorite trees, and I had two or three in my yard throughout the decades I have lived in my house. I loved them and appreciated the lush growth and shade they provided. The only problem is that with excessive beauty comes excessive maintenance. This tree blooms, drops fuzzies, grows seed pods, drops some of them, drops its leaves, drops the rest of the seed pods, and then starts the cycle all over again. There is never-ending raking. For many years this was bearable, until it just became too much.

When I entered my retirement years, I decided enough was enough. The calmer and more spacious my yard was, the easier it was for me. My neighbors were sad to see the trees go because they also provided beauty and shade, but I was the only one doing the work! Being tied to raking and blowing every other day just did not seem worth all the extra effort, so I had the trees removed. I do miss them, but now just seeing and enjoying them in other people’s yards is enough.

The story of the tree is about letting go of things you love, which, even though they enhance your life, can also be a bit of a bother. It’s okay to make room in your yard, in your life, and in your home to create space. Even if others want things to stay the same and miss what you are providing, let it be all about you. Sometimes it takes a bit of reflection to sort through whatever is taking your extra efforts, but once you finally figure it out, don’t be afraid to let go. That is a good thing!