Peace: The Tree That Grows in Adversity

Christmas is coming!

Monday found us driving to Altoona to meet a family member to have an early Christmas meal and to finish up our Christmas shopping. After that, we spent about an hour before the snow began to fall again hiking in Plummer's Hollow, a private nature reserve about 20 minutes from State College.

We walked under the ruins of an old railroad bridge, crossed the railroad tracks, and hiked up the hill through the dark woods (the woods are indeed lovely, dark, and deep, as Mr. Frost has said). As the first flurries heralded the arrival of our latest snowstorm, we walked back to the car. One last bonus: just as we got to the railroad tracks, a train came by! (A very short one, but a train nevertheless.)

I spent some time taking photos of the railroad tracks and the ruined railroad bridge across the Little Juniata; the ruined bridge (which I found strangely beautiful in the way that ruins are) is shown in this photo.

I was inspired by the little tree on the left, which is growing quite happily out of the cement and rock and wood of the railroad trestle. How does this happen? Try planting a tree in your yard sometime (I know; I have) and see how much care it takes to make it grow!

And so this unlikely, stark image represents my Christmas eve wish for the world. May there be peace on Earth. May its seeds land on rocky ground. May they grow in dark and unlikely places. May they take root and prosper against all adversity. May a beautiful tree grow from the rock; may it grow tall and strong. May its leaves and branches shelter living creatures, and bring shade and comfort to our children and grandchildren, and to their grandchildren.

Peace be unto you and those you love. Merry Christmas!