The Tree of Life… the everlasting Vestige of the ” The Giving Tree” … Before and After…

This is a picture that makes me instantly want to make it mine- the circle of life and love. Love love this wreath -An image of Continuum Generosity and life/saving nutrients in arid lands. **The Tree of Life!**

Dear Reader:

I have thought very symbolically about the Tree of Life, all my life but have now discovered that different cultures and countries have very different views, meanings, and usages.

I thought it was another symbol of our ” Giving Creator” and The Garden of Eden… a little right and a little wrong.

The Tree of Life is mentioned in Genesis but it not the tempting Tree that bore fruit… It is not to be confused with The Tree of Knowledge… of Good and Evil. Not the same.

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating fruit from the tree of knowledge ( good and evil) they were driven out of the garden … only tree left remaining was the Tree of Life. ( the new tree of forgiveness and Hope.)

In Africa, an arid climate, calls their Tree of Life– Baobah Tree that is a succulent and produces a long fruit ( one foot long) These trees feed and provide water to humans but also hundreds of elephants, lizards, and monkeys survive because of it too.

Large white flowers – whitish flowers are beautiful at the top of tree at night creating a beautiful display of happiness.

A Senegalese legend describes how their people always built their villages around the Tree of Life…( Baobah) because it met their physical needs and then overtime became their spiritual ones.

In Ireland a Celtic Tree of Life is also called a A Fairy Tree … it is so revered that new roads are built around Fairy trees to divert traffic.

I could go on and on but as you can tell every culture has their own Tree of Life and most intertwine a life- giving physical needs tree with a spiritual explanation.

So until tomorrow… Yesterday I had such a great day with Tommy and Kaitlyn who took me to see my brother Ben …. so happy to see him and then out to eat and to Publix to replenish my fridge favorites… a happy happy day!!!!’😘💗👍💗

A Tree of Life /fairy tree decorated for fun by a nearby community

Ben has added a mustache and was so happy to see us… moments of clarity and then his dementia was off and running onto many unrelated topics /such is this disease…

Ben loved seeing Kaitlyn and kept telling Tommy he hit the jackpot!

This visit made my day…. there are not enough thank you’s Tommy and Kaitlyn … from Trident Rehab to lunch out to Publix to replenish my fridge favorites! A home run day!!!!

Oh my… Inis Seashells with a bottle of sand , ocean and beach smells that you drip on top of the sand and shells-I have a big loss of smell and taste from the longevity of my cancer and even I could smell it’s delights! Toni also gave me the exquisite bird card that she deliberately left blank for me!

Look at the dense fog crossing bridges! A day of varied diversions

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”

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