Let it go. Let it be. Let it fall.

There is a lovely park at the end of my street. It has a pond with ducks, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. On the edge of the pond, is a magnificent Willow tree. I love sitting underneath the wispy long tendrils.

I would go to the park to seek healing from the huge fight I had with my adult son. It was a doozy. After it was over, he moved out in silence without even looking back at me. I loved him so much, but a big wind took him from me. He was gone. Detached.

THE STORM
Then one day, when I went to the park, a great branch from my favorite tree had fallen to the ground. I was so sad that it was broken and disconnected. The tree would never look the same.

This falling, this breaking reminded me of the broken relationship with my son. It was also a reflection of my failure as a mother.

I wanted to fix that broken branch so badly. I wanted to reconnect it.

I imaged all kinds of crazy ways I could fix this:

• I could use a rope to hang the branch back on the tree.
• I could try duct tape, and tape it back together.
• I could staple the leaves back on the fallen branch which was now barren and naked.

But sometimes it’s better to: Let it go. Let it be. Let it fall.

SIGNS OF LIFE
Many months later, I returned to the park, to the broken tree, the symbol of my failures.

The branch that had fallen looked so different! There were tiny signs of life.

It was a hive of activity with little bugs busily moving things around. A little crevice was providing shelter for squirrels.

And weirdly enough, the fallen branch had kind of “replanted” itself into the ground soil. It was beginning to sprout, to grow on it’s own.

There was life. There were new possibilities.

It would eventually become it’s own majestic Willow tree.

It was not actually a death — but a rebirth. Something new, something separate from the tree. Something beautiful.

I learned that change, hurt and falling is inevitable —this can also help keep life fresh and beautiful. New growth. New possibilities occur. I’ve learned to embrace change as a natural part of life.

My son eventually texted me. Turns out, he had gone through a storm of his own. In the aftermath, we forged a new relationship that is something new and stronger. Something fresh and beautiful.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? — What are you holding on to that you need to let Fall?

• Grudges, resentments, broken relationships. Past hurt from things that didn’t turn out the way you wanted.
• Dreams of a better life that are keeping you from being happy with how your life is now.
• You may be carrying things that are not yours to carry — somebody gave it to you to carry for them and you need to put it down because it is too heavy for you.

Let it go

Let it be

Let it Fall

A poem by Anthony Obaro

THE MALEVOLENT WIND
There is a wind
that blows spears and swords.
It’s been blowing
since the world saw
it’s first day
and first night
sweeping susceptible souls
to where they abhor to be.

I know I possess no power
on my own
to withstand this wind.
But I beseech Thee,
oh, lord,
grant me grace
not to waver
but to stand solidly
till the trumpet sounds
or till my earthly journey ends.