Willow’s long and weepy branches held wealth enough to buy me a first-class passage back to my childhood days, where adventures and dreams were as free as the air we breathe and imaginations were Mary-Poppins-worthy. The 180-degree circle of her graceful limbs sprouted green and yellow buds that were reminiscent of the bright beads on a necklace, perhaps like those from the transcendental era of hippies and free-love. Their magical potential to invoke dreams of other worlds and distant lands appealed to my inner lass, who had long been forgotten and lost among grown-up responsibilities and daily to-do lists.
When life barrels by us like a freight train carrying important cargo, I find myself wanting to escape, as I did when I was a naive little girl so full of hope. Willow never disappoints that little girl tucked away inside this adult woman of God. She has always allowed me freedom of expression – to cry, to laugh, to be angry, to be loud, and, to even be quiet. She is a faithful friend and sweet generator of dreams. When the wind is blowing a breeze through her wafting branches, I feel safe and full of hope again, and isn't that what being a good friend is really all about anyway?!
"The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about...and ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees...and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God..." (Job 40:22, Lev. 23:40a,b )
