There is a road between my home and Trader Joe's that has trees gracing both sides. I travel that way when I am hungry or anticipate being so. Since it is a residential neighborhood the flow of cars is sparse and my gaze flickers to the branches above.
There are pairs of trees that keen for one another. They lean as far as they dare without toppling over in order to meet in the middle. Some of the truly eager ones extend even beyond the yellow line.
Mid December all of the foliage is gone, which means that only spindly twigs remain. Yet yearning pulls their limbs across the pavement like gravity. Next spring when green returns they will flutter at each other excitedly, relieved to again be able to touch.
Sometimes it feels as if husbands and wives reach toward one another without quite clasping. The expanse between them is busy enough with preschoolers and reports due. Each may feel put out by the leaning, certain that their partner is not exerting an equal share.
My prayer is that when Spring comes, not the ephemeral one of a dozen weeks, but the Eternal Spring, those couples will bloom so generously that no road is too wide.
Love,
Lori
