Once upon a time in a place not too far away, there sat a little girl under a pine tree. I could smell the pine, hear the birds sing and see the fallen brown needles where she sat. She seemed to be talking to someone, but there was no one else but her, that I could see. At times she would be laughing, other times she would cry. It seemed like she had a great deal to say, to whomever she was talking to. I saw her face both happy and sad. At times she would sing, other times her brow would be wrinkled with a look of confusion.  

Many years later I read this poem and I am almost certain it was written by that same little girl, from under the tree.

                                            Under The Tree

As a little girl under the tree, I met you and you saw me.

I wanted to give you my whole heart, but I felt it was dirty, so where do I start?

I didn’t understand, there under the tree. I saw my shame, but you saw me.

As a little girl I found this place, where I could talk to Jesus and feel love, not disgrace.

A place all alone, under the tree. I met with my Jesus and He met with me.

                                             **************

I remember hearing her say one day. “Jesus I really like to go to Sunday School. I like to ride on the bus. Nobody laughs at me at church. Some people dress like me, but not everybody. It just seems like nobody cares about things like clothes when I’m at church.”

I heard that same voice, the day she walked up the aisle,

where a young man was waiting, with a with a tear and a smile.

They walked back down together, now husband and wife.

For better or worse, they’ve begun their new life.

Somewhat bruised and broken, just one year before.

She had buried her daughter, and he came home from the war.

Through the years I heard that voice and I knew it must be

The very same girl from under the tree.

She had two more daughters, and also a son.

Though life had it’s struggles, they always made it fun

.

She would talk with Jesus about them, many times every day.

Asking Him what she should do, or what she should say.

Through the years I saw her tears, both happy, then sad.

As she said goodbye to 4 siblings, her Mom, then her dad.

The deepest tears I saw her shed,

was as she walked behind this flag draped bed.

A VA tradition, a fallen soldier’s tribute.   

This day was her husband’s Final Salute!

Sgt. James Neil Bennett  Thank you!

I learned as I watched her, through both the good and the bad,

she laughs when she’s happy, and she laughs when she’s sad.

As I’ve watched her grow through challenges. I am certain it must be.

Because she still talks to the Jesus, she met under the tree.

Blessings!  Thanks for reading.