"We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward...The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome."                                                    - Isabel Allende

While exploring The Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel Island a few years ago, I came upon a huge tree lying prone on the ground in the Native Garden Center there.  

Its massive base had been pulled from the earth by two hurricanes. Nearly all the roots from the base, exposed to the air, had dried and died.  

Yet the tree itself was full of life. How?

I walked all around, trying to understand the tree's structure. New roots stretched down into the soil from the underside of the tree. New branches shot skyward from the upper side of the trunk. Bright green leaves grew profusely in clusters all around. Instead of dying when it was unrooted, the tree found new ways to get the water and food it needed. 

Geckos, ants, and beetles populated it. A couple of squirrels leaped on and chased playfully while I stood in awe at this example of life's strength. 

"I felt a kinship with that tree. It survived damage from two hurricanes; I survived two bouts of cancer and its treatments. Like that tree, my appearance has changed in many ways. But I'm still me... 

"Truly, we all are in kinship with that tree. We've faced storms. We've weathered them. We all have access to all the inherent strength we may ever need to survive and thrive...."          - from Down but Not Out, 
                           The Twelve Gifts from the Garden

May we always remember that we have "strength beyond our strength, giving strength to our strength." 
 

With faith, hope, and love,
Charlene

PS - I have not yet been back on Sanibel since Hurricane Ian, whose force was stronger than any previous storm to make landfall upon the island. I don't know if the particular strangler fig I wrote about is still there. I do know that the will to survive and thrive is still there on Sanibel, in plant life, in human life. There will be changes, including some stunning new creations, which will demonstrate our ability to triumph over devastations. After grieving our losses of every kind, let's reach inside for strength, and go forward with love, beauty, courage, wisdom, and imagination. 

THE FIRST GIFT IS STRENGTH

May you remember to call upon it whenever you need it.

from The Twelve Gifts of Birth