Day 320, November 16

A week or so ago, I wrote about the storm that hit Loveland, taking down trees and, consequently, power lines. As Larry and I drove through town the following day, we saw tree branches littering yards, parks, and streets.

Many of those branches were from cottonwood trees. Cottonwoods are large, showy trees. They grow quickly, reaching their maturity in a matter of years rather than decades as do other trees. Perhaps as a result of this, their branches are weak, their roots shallow. The roots spread beneath the ground like tentacles, but they fail to dig deep.

I couldn't help but make the comparison between cottonwoods and some people. You probably know the kind I mean. They are large and showy in their accomplishments, in their possessions, in their talents, but they never reach their true potential because their roots are shallow. Like the cottonwoods, they don't have the strength or stamina to withstand life's storms.

Then there are the other kind of people, those who hunker down and weather out a storm through sheer grit, determination, and a healthy dose of faith. They may bend, but they don't break.

So, for today, I am grateful for trees ... and people ... whose roots grow deep.