Do Mind the Evergreens

A REFLECTION on INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

By Sister Anece Salay

On a recent morning, I spent time observing the aging evergreens at the edge of a small forest. From the window, I could see the aging trees stretching their branches with sparsely spaced needles — many just “holding on.” 

Later, the light drizzle and slight wind caused many leaves to fall from the surrounding trees, forming a beautiful multicolored carpet under the evergreens and on their branches, as well. The evergreens’ branches appeared to be illuminated, like the branches of a Christmas tree with small amber lights … glowing with a touch of autumn. Soon, some will simply age, their branches will droop, and a bed of needles will soften the ground below. 

Perhaps, this is a reminder of youthfulness maturing — for the trees. For those few earlier hours, the grown, old decorated trees were reminded of their own youth and strength. The aging tree bends to see the beautiful carpet punctuated with dry, brown needles. It knows that, in the spring, the trees will bloom again, and the process of the seasons will take its course. Hopefully, it will once again be decorated by the falling leaves this time next year.

In our lives as in nature, there are times when it is good for the young to spend time with the “older ones.”  The scene is always beautiful. The young gaze into the wise and aging eyes … touch the wrinkled hands … trace the lines on the face that inevitably smiles sweetly. 

The moments spent between the elderly and their young grandchildren, great-grandchildren or other young people within the family are truly precious. Do not hesitate to bridge the generation gap while the window remains open. Do take that trip — whether it’s just down the road on a weekend afternoon or across many miles by plane or train — to nourish the youngest branches of your family tree. Do bring the young ones to visit with the older folks in your life.

As with the sturdy evergreens, the young and the old among us speak to each other in many ways — often without words. The lessons are deeply engraved and softly pondered. Only their hearts know what they learn in such moments. Savor them.