"Come, little leaves," said the wind one day.

I promised ray that I would take the time to tell about my memory tree, so here goes.....
 My tree has many branches and many tales. It starts with a beautiful young lady born in 1904 that married young and started a family. My family taught me to be strong and vigilant in life, to never take the easy road and to never forget the little ones along the way. my years have been full of laughter and even tears. I remember my Grandmother Lita telling me that the only thing that she regretted about growing old, was the family and friends that she lost along the way. There are many branches where I got lost and had to travel back to the roots of my family in order to find my way. my tree has been battered with cancer and trials, accidents and wonderful people gone too soon. We live in an age that stresses personal goals, careers, happiness, work and religion. The emphasis is on the individual and how best that individual can satisfy himself. There are as many degrees and types of living, ideals and morals as there are people. Since one of the common denominators is freedom to do as one pleases, there is very little to contrast. To this way of thinking, everyone is free to be and do whatever he pleases without causing anyone any harm. This state of animated blahs perpetuates only darkness, for light is kindled by a clash of ideas, from strong concepts of right and wrong, from leaders who are fearless and stand tall on the side of justice. We do not find choices between good and evil thrust upon us today—only the confusion of half-truths, blatant evil disguised as part of modern living, and an indifference to sin called "tolerance" and "love." Self-satisfaction at everyone else's expense is considered a kind of fulfillment and any reaction to the contrary is an infringement on personal freedom. Married life has become to many a necessary burden, but a burden that is shed very easily. Faithfulness has become merely a biblical term no longer relevant or possible in an age of modern enlightenment. Adultery and fornication have passed from unfaithfulness and sin to an inability to love only one person and the fulfilment of one's basic needs. Children who are to be the fruit of love are considered mere accidents, financial burdens, consumers of the world's food supply, an infringement on personal freedom to utilize untapped talents which are destined to be forever buried. This, alas, is the thinking of the minority to the dismay of the disheartened majority. I have been blessed with a strong family and the belief that my marriage will last the test of time. I have children that will live on, loved and molded by my faith and heart. I have been blessed with friends true and false, each teaching me lessons to learn from and carry with me on my journey. Each branch of my tree has withstood time and upheld honor. The leaves are scattered with both family members and people that have touched my life and left a lasting impression. The fact that I have as many online friends as I do on the outside of the box is a blessing that allows me comfort and joy no matter where i choose to spend my time. The trunk is solid and represents my life, i live from day to day and take nothing for granted; but i live with the knowledge that I have support and strength behind me that will catch me if and when i ever fall.