The Spirit Tree Visit

It seemed like another normal day. I had taken my son and his friend to a special place from my child hood. It was a place from so very long ago.  They of course, being teenagers,  where not as fascinated as myself. Nothing seemed unusual or out of place. Well, nothing other than an eerie feeling that creeped over my spine. It was as if someone was watching us. My eyes spanned the parking lot and I saw nothing unusual. Nothing was out of place or out of the ordinary.

I shared my experiences from my childhood and then began to take random photos. I explained how I played in this very spot. I spoke of the cement lambs that once decorated the earth. The Mother Mary Statue that watched over this area. I shared how my brothers and I spent much time in this very spot.

The statues were gone but the memories were as clear as if I were watching a movie. I could see the three little children laughing and playing. I was the youngest, the only girl. Wearing a shabby dress and sandals called ‘Yoyos’. The memory was bittersweet. I could see my middle brother with his striped cotton shirt and his cut off jeans. My oldest brother all rolly, polly with fire engine red hair.  A smile traced across my face and a tear stained my cheek.

We parted this place. It was off for lunch and then the next place to share. Sharing a history that had little value to anyone other than myself. Sharing a part of something that perhaps should of been left cataloged in my head. I didn’t know why I had even come there other than I felt as if I had been beckoned. It was a feeling as if I had a divine appointment. Even on the way there I had felt lost. It had been so many years since I had been there. I almost didn’t want to leave. I even thought of returning alone. 

Later that evening after we returned home I looked through my photos. That is when I saw it, well her. It was an angel in the tree, perhaps even Mother Mary.  She looked like the same angel that had appeared to me as a small child when I was really sick. She was there. It was her I had felt watching over me. It was she who had called me there. I was amazed. There was more to the trip than just reliving another memory. Then I pondered, “Why?” Why had she beckoned me? Why had she sent all those reoccurring dreams? The truth is, I may never know why and somehow, it no longer seems important.