This is a tribute to my mother, Leona, for her undying strength, unconditional generosity, and the heart of our forest.

As published by Along the Winding Road:

Like the beautiful shade tree,
Your strength continues as you mature,
Your resistance to the storms never lets up,
Your every extremity is used to protect those beneath you.

On a beautiful summer afternoon,
You bring quiet comfort to those around you.
You allow us to hear the breeze
That would go otherwise unheard.

Lest we forget the past seasons.
The autumn evenings dropping your leaves,
To protect your roots from the upcoming freeze.
The long winter nights you stayed strong,
Sacrificing yourself to fuel the warm of others.
The spring mornings you reached out to find the sun,
With the sole focus on provided the fruit for others.

You have endured the seasons,
From broken limbs to fires in the forest.
Yet your strength never withers,
And your branches still embrace.

From the seeds you produced,
To the principles in your roots,
Your life is our best example
That nurturing is your nature.

You are the family tree.

Source: Behold the Elder – Along the Winding Road