ARE YOUR LEAVES FALLING?

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

I know you....

Yes,

You're that tall, beautiful tree

I see every morning,

Oh, yeah, It's me, also.

Sometimes I sit on that bench over there

Right across you

Yep, with my books,

always reading,

But, you,

well, you look different...

What's wrong?

You've always been so strong,

Majestic, powerful,

So beautiful here among these other new trees

who have barely begun to grow.

I took pictures with my family with you behind us

Remember?

Yes, when they were little,

They're all grown now,

And you,

You look different....

Your branches that once raised up high and mighty

Seem bent and fallen

Your leaves, well, 

Are your leaves falling?

They're changing colors

and I know Fall is here,,

But, 

something is not the same.

You are sad, down and as if you're ready to sit down

on this bench over here with me.

Oh, beautiful tree,

Strong and precious tree,

Tree that has been a refuge to so many

Place of comfort

Seat of silence for those who need an escape

Are your leaves falling?

Is that the reason you weep?

It's ok, dear Oak

I promise you that the winter winds will not destroy you,

I promise you that the snow will not stop your heart,

The cold rains that are to come will not crush your roots

For you are Strong

You are the Oak

The Tree that has been here for ages

Unmovable, Unbending, Relentless

Even in the winter

Raise your branches high and worship

Even through the storms,

Keep your eyes upward and trust Him,

Even through the snow and the blizzards

Let not your heart be troubled

But trust in Him.

He created you and He loves you.

You,

You my friend,

You, my brother

My sister,

My child that God blessed me with,

My husband,

Mom and Dad,

you are the Oak tree

You are the strength so many see

You are the beauty so many see

You

And sometimes, many times,

Life hurts

The storms come

and our leaves change colors

Our leaves begin to fall

But,

Just as the Oak stands through the storm

Just as the Oak remains strong through the tempest

Just as the tree stays still through the hardships,

Stand still and remain hopeful.

The Oak knows that the storms will pass

And after winter

Spring will return.

So, 

Dear Tree, Dear Oak, Dear love,

The winter will come

But it will not stay forever.

God will make his light and warmth shine on you

Even through the cold of the night.

Your leaves may be falling

and soon you will be bare,

But the heavenly arms of our Saviour

will stretch forth to hold you

and keep you through the winter hours.

Remain strong

Hold on to Jesus

Let your hope and faith stay still.

Stay ever strong, 

Beautiful Oak

Beautiful You.