Our family has always planted trees – not just for the environment, but as living memories.

When I was born, my father planted a cherry tree. The cherries were large, red, sweet. My sister’s birth brought a magnificent peach tree. Every Christmas, our dream toys and picture books waited under the fragrant living evergreen tree.  When the celebrations ended, we took the tree to one of our places in nature where we usually went on a picnic and planted it. And for every event that was special to us, we preserved the memory and captured the time by planting a tree or shrub with roses or blackberries.

As we grew, so did our green forest of memories and recollections. I knew the birch when I graduated, I enjoyed the white flowers of the apple tree when I became a doctor. Mario and I planted a pine tree.  Some left a padlock closed on the bridge over the river Vardar as a symbol of eternal love. Others engraved initials and hearts in the bark of the trees in the park like tattoos. We planted the pine. And what if we part and everyone goes their own way – I thought to myself. Then we will plant a new tree and the old one will keep our memories.

And when these days have gone by, our memories will turn green and bloom everywhere, someone will eat the red cherries or fall asleep in the shade of the pine.

Many dear people are gone, but every spring when the jasmine blossoms and fills the world with fragrance, I hear the happy voices and laughter of my family who planted the jasmine that spring. “Let each of us make a beautiful wish and plant the bush with love. “We will promise everyone who is sad from here to bring joy.”

I wished our souls to stay forever in the scent of jasmine.

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    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    1 year ago

    Vendy G, I enjoyed reading this. What a great idea to celebrate big (or small) occasions by planting a tree. This is a great story. Thank you for sharing.

    Dorina Sandor
    Dorina Sandor(@dorina-sandor)
    1 year ago

    What a beautiful story and thought behind your story Vendy!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    I also enjoyed reading it, Vendy. I agree with Marianna, just now that I realized that it is a very good idea to plant a tree in the celebration of any occasion whether small or big. Not just for memories but also to help nature. If everyone would do that, there would surely be more trees all over the world. Thank you for this story, Vendy.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Lovely story Vendy and an original take on the prompt. Well done.

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    1 year ago

    A wonderful story, Vendy! I loved reading about all your different occasions and it struck a chord with me as I have many trees planted for both special occasions and sad ones, like the passing of a beloved pet. Like you, I often reflect on them and walking around my yard brings back wonderful memories. I hope your story inspires others to plant trees – a double win, for the environment and… Read more »

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    1 year ago

    This is a lovely story, Vendy. My family also planted trees on special occasions. My Dad was a great believer in planting fruit vines, vegetables, trees, shrubs – anything that could grow from the ground. It’s a wonderful way to live. Welcome to Voice Club!

    Melissa Taggart
    Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
    1 year ago

    Beautiful story, Vendy. Planting trees during life’s successes sounds like a wonderful tradition. Great work.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    5 months ago

    Hello, Vendy. This story inspires me when I first read it. And now, it inspires me more. And I already planted more trees. Not just keeping memories but also helping the environment.

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    5 months ago

    This is a lovely valuable sentiment- plant a tree for family occasions.

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