My wife and I live in a modest tri-level home about one block east of the Indiana/Illinois Stateline in Dyer. As we look out the window in our bedroom, we see our backyard. In the middle of the backyard is a large evergreen tree that we planted 35 years ago when our daughter was born. When we planted the tree, it was only one foot tall and now is well over 35 feet in height. The tree is beginning to age and starting to brown at the top. We fear it may have reached its intended life expectancy and wonder if we will have it more than another year or two.

As I looked out at the tree last Monday, I felt a warmth knowing all that little tree had seen in its lifetime. My son and daughter growing from infancy to adults out on their own. It has seen birthday parties, family barbecues and celebrations, and fun times swimming in our above ground swimming pool. It has witnessed the movement of our children grow from preschool to grade school to college and beyond.

The appearance of grandchildren, started that circle of life all over again.

That tree has seen the changing of my hair and its color from rich brown to light gray with much thinning, and it has seen our beloved pets from the time we brought them home to the time that they left us at the end of their lives.

So much has been seen and so much is treasured.

My wife and I will not have another 35 years to watch another little tree grow to such an age of maturity as we travel through our more senior years.

But unlike that beautiful evergreen tree that has been with us for the last 35 years, we are humbled and find happiness and peace in reflecting how much Jesus has done for us in this timeframe. He is always there walking beside and helping us through the ups and downs of years that seem to have passed more quickly than possible. But unlike the evergreen, Jesus (the tree of life) will remain there with us on our earthly journey until that glorious day and moment of heavenly bliss when we meet Him. How blessed we are!

The noun, rumination, means a deep considered thought about something.

-By Deacon Tom Gryzbek