When my guy and I visit Snooky Park in Lady Lake it's to walk the half-mile path around it, and to enjoy the outdoors. Generally the only people there are walkers like us, either alone or with their pets or babies. Everyone is very quiet, in the same way they are inside a church.
The park is named after a local boy who perished on board the Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was only 21 years old. In a way that always affects how I am when we visit. Calm, but also contemplative about the nature of life. Ageing is not a privilege that is given to everyone.
There's one tree in particular at the park that my guy and I both stand in awe of -- this one. This tree might be as old as our country, and has been through hurricanes, endless summers of sometimes impossibly hot days and nights, and maybe even lightning strikes. It's old and scarred, and definitely stronger than the other, younger trees around it -- not because it's got so much damage. Because it survived it.
I am very much like this tree, just not quite as steadfast and strong. I'd like to work on that so I can stand tall despite all of what I've been through, and keep on living as long as I can. Maybe there's someone out there who will look at my life one day and think "If she survived all that, then I can get through my life, too."
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