The above tree grows within a small square with soil in the pavement. Behind it - two supermarkets with people of all ages coming and going. In front of it - parked cars; across the street - a children's playground.
I' ve heard a rumour that the municipality intends to remove the tree, but that there are some protests against this intention. The protesters claim that the tree is some sort of an attraction , odd attraction, even dangerous, but still...it has become the icon of the place.
According to neighbors, her two married daughters that live in a nearby town, are trying hard to persuade her to move to another location/ facility, as there are some stairs to climb to her appartment and this climbing is not for her any longer (she's well over 80, I believe). However, so far she has refused to do so; she's very fond of her home and surroundings.
Well, both the tree and the lady are a reminder that we should all be thankful to God every day for keeping us on our feet , upright, and functioning. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can be taken for granted, and it is appalling to realize how helpless medicine is about a lot of health issues.
Duta, thank you so much for sharing this post. I love elderly people. I am 60, so I am soon to become elderly myself. I have known many elderly people over the years. One thing for sure is that they can be stubborn. They don't want to leave their home, because I guess to them this is where their security and happiness is. I hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteMoreover,leaving home even at this stage, is considered by many as a sign of weakness and failure. I know she has disapproved of a friend of hers for moving to a sheltered community soon after her husband passed.
DeleteSo true. I have some minor aches and pains that remind me everyday of how easy life used to be. And of course, on Mother's day, I remember how it used to be having a mother. it is so easy to take things for granted when we have them. And they work right.
ReplyDeleteAs we advance in age our body reminds us how fragile and vulnerable we are.
DeleteWe can do a lot of things to try and help ourselves, prayer to God being the most efficient among them, I believe.
A great reminder indeed to be thankful to be able to walk although I'm getting limited when it comes to knees so my heart goes out to this bent-over woman. Another lesson that is obvious to me is how hard it is to change. She doesn't want to move and likes the familiar.
ReplyDeleteThat is some kind of out-of-the ordinary tree for sure. Have a wonderful week!
Knee problems are very common. Sometimes, just loosing some weight can be of great help to the sufferer.
DeleteThe tree is eye catching; sort of a curiosity. The woman's condition is eye catching too , but in a very sad way.
Indeed we must be very grateful. We take things for granted until we loose them.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a loss of control (over our bodies) and maybe that's why people want to keep control over other things. I don't know
There's a saying about 'we don't know what we have, until we loose it'.
DeleteControl over our body requires a great deal of effort and knowledge on our part, and therefore is not always possible.
That bent tree is so interesting, Duta. It looks like it's about to fall over at any time. I noticed the cars parked right under it. That's sad about the old lady with the bent back. I do hope she gets the care she needs when it's time. I've heard of many elderly people being advised to leave their homes, but they just don't want to leave their areas and surroundings that they're familiar with. And I understand that, as I had a couple aunts that went through the same thing. What an interesting post, and what an unusual tree this is.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the birthday wishes and comment, Duta. It really made my day.
~Sheri
Thanks for your kind words.
DeletePassers-by got used to see the bent tree and ignore the possibility that it might collapse someday.
As far as I know the elderly woman attended some gym and physioteraphy sessions, and yet the reality is quite grim.
Duta, I saw your profile at Keylleyn's blog -wow, how long ago, and you are still blogging (like I), but I moved to Wordpress a few years ago:) Good to "see" you are still in blogland:) Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from you, Jeannette.
DeleteI like reading and writing and blogging suits me in this respect. I learn a lot from reading people's blogs and at the same time improve my own writing skills and my knowledge of english. As simple as that. A lovely week to you too!
I like that the bent tree has grown so big in its unlikely and rather unfriendly location. So sad about the bent old lady living all alone. True, there is so much about human pathology that modern medicine can do nothing to cure.
ReplyDeleteIt's the only big, outstanding tree on that pavement, and it looks lonely.The old lady lives among good neighbors , but her condition is such that makes her a very lonely person.
DeleteYou said it exactly, Duta! Take nothing for granted! I just turned 72 last week and thank God every day, and I imagine no one wants to leave their home.
ReplyDeleteThat tree is lovely and it would be a crime to cut it down, it has character!
And, it's sad about the lady near you, hope all turns out to her liking.
Two doors down, we have an 85-year old lady who is bent over horribly like that. She's very tiny, but gets around fairly good, no cane yet, and has her husband for support. She's has great spirit though and is just a little sassy.
Here's to the seniors and to your stately tree!
Happy belated Birthday, Pam!
DeleteThe tree "has character" - well said.
I like your story about the 85 year old lady: no cane, full of spirit, and support from her husband.
Dear Duta, I loved reading your article. It is true that we must never take things for granted and must thank God and be grateful for all that we have.
ReplyDeleteNow, forgive me dear... I do not understand why you ask for news of this lady to third parties? You seem to appreciate her, why don't you pay her a visit and have a chat? It's important to show others that we care. She would feel happy and you would feel happy too.
Sorry, but that's my feeling, mum always says to me: Turn your tongue seven times in your mouth before speaking. -... hahaha....
You've got the answer to your question right there in my post. Some ten years ago,I decided to keep away from her and her husband after a certain argument (whose details I won't disclose here).
DeleteAs a human being I do care about her but am not worried, as she has good neighbors and loyal daughters. I'm just sad by the fact that I haven't anticipated her bad hunching, haven't seen it coming. We never know what awaits us at the corner.
As soon as I saw the picture I thought of old people bent over. The tree has character, and I hope they never remove it. and old people with all their life experiences have been shaped and formed by their life experience and are so much an important part of our society. I wish everyone felt that way. Loved this Duta.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Old people and their life experiences are indispensable to our society.
DeleteI think of the lines in scripture that say how God straightens the bent. And lifts up those who are bowed down. Its beautiful how you describe how she is like the tree, both sustained by His goodness. May He watch over her and the tree! Blessings to you and have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your beautiful, spiritual comment. Blessings to you too!
Deletelove that tree, and that some fight to just let it be as is!
ReplyDeleteMe too, I must say. It's hard to explain, but I have feelings for it.
DeleteQuite the tree!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby has been managing his caner. We're doing OK, though. Cancer can only be explained in a small amount of cases (e.g. 2/3 are simply mutations)
Your hubby is quite the man! He drives, volunteers, does things in and around the house, manages his health issue... He'll be fine.
DeleteI can completely understand why the old woman wishes to remain at her home. Similarly, the protesters have the same sentiment re: their precious, bending tree. For them, it is part of their community, and if it were to be chopped down, what would represent their beloved surroundings?
ReplyDeleteLife is short. Most of us don't realize this until we hit mid-life or until something threatens our life. I pray everyday for the health and safety of the ones I love. What else is there?
Enjoyed this thought-provoking post!
Have a lovely weekend, Duta,
Poppy
Indeed. It is the tendency of a human being to get attached not only to another human but also to a tree, a pet, a house, clothes, books, you name it.
DeleteI too believe in the power of prayer; our belief in God doesn't contradict our belief in science and progress as some would like to imply.
A lovely weekend to you, too!
You are so right, absolutely nothing should be taken for granted. I love the tree, so hope they dont cut it down...keep us informed!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
DeleteGlad you agree with me.
It doesn't look as if they're going to cut down the tree in the near future.
Yay! For the tree
DeleteHi Duta, a lot of people may associate memories with the tree - the local council engineers should be able to come up with some practical solution to make the tree safe but also keep it in place if that's what the people wish.
ReplyDeleteYes, the old lady's bent back is directly attributable to osteoporosis. My Mum is the same, but not quite as bent over. It can also be genetic so the daily consumption of calcium is best for everyone - men and women... ha ha, trying not to preach, just commenting ;D) Cheers and thanks for your life observations Duta, I always take great interest in your thoughts.
Good idea ! engineers could come up with a solution to stabilize the tree.
DeleteCalcium's indeed, very recommended for osteoporosis. Thanks for commenting.
I don't know how I missed this post! It's lovely the way you put the tree and the old lady together. Unfortunately when you get older you get more stubborn. I hope her daughters are able to convince her to move to a place where it will be easier for them to keep an eye on her and easier for her to not have to maneuver stairs.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I used to see the lady and the tree at different times. I decided to write the post in the evening, after I saw the lady in the morning, and the tree in the afternoon of the same day.
Delete