Together We Can

A friend of mine who was visiting from the US commented on the diversity of trees here.  They liked that.  I was reminded of that by an illustration I heard yesterday.  I really liked it. 
It also reminded me of the “Are you OK?” movement.  I hold that up as “an answer” rather than “the answer” to a problem.  My problem is that the ones who ask, “are you ok?” are likely to have been the ones who asked it anyway.  But I am a great believer in “just because something is flawed it should not be abandoned.”  Putting a good cause in people’s consciousness has gotta help.  Truth be known I would have been abandoned a long time ago if abandoning what is flawed were the case.
Anyway, thinking about such things was brought on by an illustration.  Apparently, Redwood trees in the US can grown up to 300 feet tall.  But a ranger said though they are so tall their roots go down only three feet.  Most other trees go as deep or deeper than they are high.  That is why in storms mostly they stand - because their strength comes from their deep roots.  Yet Redwood trees go only three foot down and remain standing.
The reason they stand lies in what the roots do.  They descend three foot, then they spread out and link up and become intertwined with other redwood trees - when the storm blows the wind is battling a forest rather than a tree.
The ranger said he could show Redwood trees that had died but remained standing.  All because the other trees would not let them go.
I love that.  I admire a fine specimen, but it is the crook and imperfect  that need attention most.  From the ads and magazines, it seems society would have us believe all is well with all.  Yet real life shows that is not the case.
Sometimes I need you and at other times you need me.  We are to support each other.  If I am feeling low or in need, you have my back.  You will not let me go.  And it works the other way too.
That is what I like about “Are you ok?”  No one need face a storm alone.  Storms need not uproot but can make stronger.  But I know I must admit I need you and you need me.  If we link up, then together we can. 
Are you ok?