Margaret sat on the porch, shoulders slumped, when Jack pulled into the drive. He slammed the door shut and hurried to her side.

            “Mom, what’s wrong?” His brow furrowed with concern.

            She waved her hand. “You’ll think it’s silly.”

            Jack eased onto the porch swing and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “If something is wrong, you can tell me. I love you.”

            Margaret patted his hand. “You’re such a good boy.”

            Jack laughed. “Mom, I’m nearly 60. I’m hardly a boy.”
            Margaret gave him a smile. “You’ll always be my boy.” She turned her gaze to the tree in front of her. “It’s the tree.”
            “I don’t understand.”
            “It’s dying. It has to come down.”

            “Oh.”

            “When your father and I were first married, we planted that tree together. We’ve watched it grow from a sapling to the mighty tree it is now. We used to sit here on this swing watching the birds, just talking for hours.”

            “Dad always did love the birds.”

            “It was so hard saying goodbye to him,” Margaret said, her voice almost at a whisper. “Losing this tree is like losing another part of him.”

            “I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m glad we have such good memories of him, though. I’ve spent some good times with him on this porch as well.”

            “I’ll be ok, Jack. It’s just going to take some time to get used to the idea. At my age, change is difficult.”

            “It’s difficult at any age,” Jack said. “When is the tree coming down?”

            “Friday,” Margaret said. “I’ll be ok. Like you said, I will still have all the memories.”

            “Are they sure it has to come down?” Jack asked.

            “They’re sure. If it falls, it will hit the house, and I certainly don’t want that to happen.”

            Friday morning dawned bright and beautiful. Margaret awoke to the sound of trucks pulling onto the street in front of the house. By the time she finished breakfast, men were in the yard, getting ready to take down the tree. She couldn’t bear to watch. A moment later, the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find Jack on the other side, a mischievous grin on his face.

            “What aren’t you at work?” Margaret asked.

            “I took the day off. I’m taking you away from here for the day.”

            Margaret opened her mouth to protest, but was too moved by her son’s thoughtfulness. “Let me get my sweater.”

            After a day spent walking the local gardens, having lunch, and visiting her sister at the assisted living facility, Jack drove Margaret home. Her heart grew heavy as they approached the yard. Even from down the street, the tree’s absence could be seen. As they pulled up in front of the house, Margaret shaded her eyes to see.

            “What’s that? I thought they were going to take the whole tree out. It looks like there are a few feet of stump left.”

            Jack grinned. “Let’s take a look.”
            They exited the car, and Jack steadied Margaret by the elbow as she approached the stump. Tears filled her eyes as she surveyed the change. The tree trunk had been converted into a birdbath. “Oh Jack.”

            “Let’s see how it looks from the porch.”

            Margaret allowed Jack to escort her to the rocking chair. Once she’d taken her seat, she gazed out at the birdbath. Then she saw it. Carved in the trunk was a heart, with J. S. + M. S. carved inside.

            “Jerry would have loved that,” Margaret said. She turned to Jack. “I know you made this happen. Thank you.”

            Jack’s smile only grew wider as a robin flew to the bird bath and began to splash.

Isaiah 43: 18-19

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

 

God, change is difficult for us, as is loss. Thank You for always staying the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter what changes we face, we know You are there with us, loving through it all. Thank You for the people you put in our lives to help us with difficult situations. Please help us to be a source of strength for others in their difficult times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.