Last week my friend Amy and I went camping near Capitol Reef and near the visitors center, by the creek that runs alongside the Fruita campground, we found this amazing old tree. I’ve always been fascinated by trees. They call out to me and draw me to them and I think they’re all beautiful and special in their own way. But this tree!! It was huge, and obviously very old and had a stately presence like none other!

​It stopped me in my tracks. I leaned against a low hanging branch and gazed at the tree and asked what wisdom it had for me. Literally. And here’s what immediately flowed into my mind.

(From the tree to me…) You are a lot like me Connie. Study me and you’ll see the similarities. You’ve lost people and things you’ve loved and you’ve been hurt deeply. Your life has weathered you and made you strong, sturdy and wise. It’s made you resilient and diverse and interesting and powerful.

Sometimes you look in the mirror and think you look old and it bothers you, but don’t ever be embarrassed about how you look. Sure you might have some wrinkles and lines but don’t believe that they makes you less beautiful. Hold your head high and be proud of your looks. Know that your age marks you and make you uniquely you, and gives you priceless and attractive character.

I walked closer and really studied the tree.

I’d been drawn to its energy and enormous stature, but as I looked closer I realized that this tree had a lot going on. There was a huge knot in its trunk where a very large and important branch had been ripped out. I instinctively knew that when this happened it had hurt the tree, as if losing the branch had broken a piece of the trees heart.

I looked up and saw that several other large branches had been cut off at their bases, which had caused the tree to grow new smaller branches that twisted and wrapped around other branches in a very unusual and interesting manner. Where branches had been removed it had forced new growth in an unplanned direction and created an admiral look that enhanced the trees beauty.

This tree was rare. It was deep-rooted, gnarly and scarred. It was magnificent and beautiful; a force and a presence. Just standing near it made me feel nurtured, protected and supported.

I hugged the tree and pondered it’s message to me. It felt good to be connected. Finally I let go, and as I walked away I swear I heard the tree say …

Claim your magnificence and be proud of all you’ve overcome and who you’ve become as a result. Celebrate your journey and tell your story of growing strong through adversity. Stay strong and keep reaching up and branching out.

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Thank you Fruita tree, for sharing your sage wisdom!