Tree-hug on September 11

.The biggest shagbark hickory I've seen.  It felt like an honor to hug this tree.

First looking up I was greeted by this powerful bearded tree-king.

A different perspective revealed this majestic tree-angel.

Her angel-wing-bark softly draping down the contours of the tree.

Another tree-king overseeing his woodlands.

In the top picture you can see that a great limb had fallen from this tree.  Injury, illness and death are a part of all our lives, including the trees.  And just as I don't like to see people suffer, I don't like to see the trees suffer.  The limb was part of this great trees balance and wholeness.  It no doubt provided habitat for many a creature.  It's leaves even supporting the air we breathe.  But I also know there is a natural flow of life and death.  As the tree limb decomposes it feeds the earth and other creatures nutrients.  When I first approached the fallen limb I noticed the smoothness of the wood where the bark had fallen away. It's smoothness felt wonderful to the touch!  I then noticed, looking up at me, a toothy smiling wood-being.  He seemed as happy as can be.  Message: If not for this limb falling and decomposing, you would never have seen my smiling face. There is much more to life than meets the eye.  Open your heart to it all.