A tree of memories!

 

The bare tree having lost its foliage is now showing new shoots from the bottom, in our front garden. This tree was a regular flight station in the morning and evening for many birds who reside or visit our garden. Since it lost its foliage about two months ago, I wondered whether the birds would abandon the tree. Most birds choose trees with foliage for their protection.  

The above collection of photos taken at different times recently gave  surprised me how this tree is still a home for many birds. 

Anna and  I refer to this tree, which is only five meters away from our cottage, as the singing station of the avian friends, who come to socialise with us. 

The gardener who takes care of the lawn around our house suggested that we cut the tree as it seemed to be giving up after at least of thirty five years of its presence in our garden. Anna and I felt hesitant as it was the favourite place where birds came to sing for us. 

During the last two months, the new shoots coming up from the bottom of the tree give hope that the tree would get revived.

The birds come because of their flight memory or  wanting to greet us each morning!

A tree too has its history. In the case of this tree, it had a history of being a flight station for birds. It also gave us bell fruits twice a year. It provided an ornamental look with its red fruits. Children who visited us enjoyed plucking fruits from the tree as its branches were only about a foot above the ground, when the tree was thriving. Barbets and Pigeons found the fruit as their regular feed. The Sunbirds and Honey bees visited the tree during its flowering season for nectar. 

As in the last photo, the tree also became a place for birds in courtship to be quiet and be together at day break!

As I stood beside the tree yesterday, while mowing the grass in the lawn, I recalled its history since I could remember. It was planted by my parents and I remember my mother gathering the fruits and distributing them to the neighbours. There were children who came from the neighbourhood to gather the fruit. There were children even from the local school, who came to the garden on their way to the school or while returning from the school, to pluck the fruits. 

A tree which lived its life giving, after a stressful season of the summer, is now showing signs of revival.

For me and Anna, it is an occasion of celebration because its presence in the garden is a memorial of a history that connects us with people. I remember Anna using its fruits to make juice, jam and chutney. Anna used to take a bagful of fruits to distribute to her colleagues in the department of the medical college where Anna and I worked. Anna and I used to stand beside the tree and pluck and eat the fruit during our evening stroll in the garden!

A tree of memories!

Now the tree, in spite of being mostly bare, is still a home for birds! It lives its life for others!

I sense this message as a calling - to live mindful of others!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)