THE TREES IN MY LIFE

24/10/2024

As little Lissa I spent a lot of time in and under trees, pretending to be a tree.

They were my safe space.

When the taunting voices of the pack of kids, at the camp we stayed at all Summer, would become too much, that was where I would find the comfort, solace, and protection in this ginormous Pohutukawa- 100’s of years old.

They were my friend that didn’t judge or tease me for hearing and seeing others in amongst their branches. I would find myself climbing higher and higher and higher. Oh, how we had no fear when we were children. I would touch my forehead to the tree and listen to them speak.

Climbing and hanging upside down, laughter and be filled with so much joy.

When I got older and started to become a teenager and things got tough and too much, I would sneak into the Flash Golf course we lived beside and walk up and down the creek that ran through it.

I came upon this tall Rata tree that stood tall on the water’s edge, his roots formed this amazing little crevice that I was able to sit in and be hidden. I spent many hours there dreaming, drawing, listening, and speaking with that tree and those that stood beside him.

I planted the beautiful placenta that held my baby boy safely in my belly for 9 months, under a beautiful tree that grew with J. I returned part of myself that held his life and part of him back to the land. I didn’t know of any customs back then, but I felt that as he had Whakapapa to this land, this had to be done.

When our beautiful Justice girl was killed, we planted a majestic Blue Totara tree upon her resting place. We had gone to a nursery to find a tree – we each had a different point of view on what we wanted.

We both had gone off in different directions. 30 mins later we were both drawn to this one. She had led us back together to this very tree. It continues to grow and a place where the 3 of us cherish and head back to visit and speak of memories had with her and new memories made in her honor.

Years later the Kauri would call to me, this innate desire to learn all about what was affecting them, making them sick, slowly killing them off, what could I do, what could we do as the infection carrier?

The tree activist was awakened. I now spend time in the Kauri grove up a gravel road not far from me.

The land and trees about speak.

There was once a time when hugging a tree got you a certain slur- well I actually quite like the hippy tree hugger name thank you so jokes on you. But for some reason you were looked down upon, what woowoo crap are you up to now Lissa.

Imagine how much of a nicer person we could all be if we really hugged a tree. I mean they also give us the delicious air that we must breathe don’t they.

So there really is no reason not to is there.

Trees are magnificent, majestic beings. They show us how having good roots in the earth, grounds and makes you strong for anything.

Having those good sturdy foundations in your life, helps when the big Southernly gusts of wind come to unsettle you.

So, let’s all be like trees and ground our roots deep so we can grow tall and be that safe space for someone that needs it.

I’m going to be like a tree and leaf….. I couldn’t help myself.

So much love Lis x