Abilene has been renowned for many things, but never for its
trees. Our mesquites lack the authority
of the stately California redwoods, our scrubby red oaks lack the fortitude of
the pines of Colorado, and our tallest elms are dwarfed by the heights of the sycamores
in East Texas. Nevertheless, the trees
in Abilene grow strong and true, not unlike the people who grow alongside them in
this dusty Texas town.
For over 100 years now, Abilene soil has produced generation
upon generation of tree, and generation upon generation of families, each one
slowly unfurling new branches of possibility.
For some, Abilene is simply a starting point. These folks soak up all the good this town
has to offer, and then when a big enough breeze blows by, they fly like a
dandelion seed in the West Texas wind to more hospitable soil (but a little bit
of Abilene goes with them). Others put
down deep roots, stretching into the cool water tables that run below and drink
steadily and deeply of all the quiet treasures Abilene has to offer. These family trees become synonymous with
Abilene, as much a part of the city itself as the skyline. Some are like myself, leaves that have blown
away for a time, only to return in a different season, bearing the fruit of new
knowledge and new skills honed to improve our hometown.
It is this idea of generations past and generations to come
that has spurred the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council and friends to dream up a
new park and sculpture garden, slated to open next summer near the Abilene
Civic Center. It will be vibrant and
green and alive with sculptures from classic storybook tales like Charlotte’s
Web. Close to the center of this garden
will stand a large metal tree, its tallest branches reaching up 15 feet to the
sky. On these branches, large oak-like
metal leaves of green, silver, and gold will move with the breeze. The tree represents all that is good and
alive in Abilene, a town that knows how to grow happy and healthy families. Each limb is a family’s journey to find its
perfect place in the sun. And each leaf,
Abilenians, can represent you or someone you love.
For a nominal price, you can be a part of Abilene’s past and
a part of its future. A donation of
$100, $125, or $150 buys you a leaf of a certain color. There will be a plaque next to the tree in a
corresponding color, etched with the name of a person or couple you choose to
honor through your donation. For my
part, I have chosen to honor my two children with a gold leaf each. I imagine us going to play under this tree
while they are young, watching as the metal of the sculpture grows cold and hot
with the passing seasons, until their future children come to run their fingers
along the names etched in the plaque.
This is Abilene. A
town that grows greatness humbly, each generation embracing the next like rings
of a tree encircling new growth to provide support and nourishment until it can
stand alone.
Please consider donating to this project. Consider whether you’d like to etch your name
on this tree in this town that grew you and so many of the people you love. Perhaps you would like to honor someone who
gave keeps you rooted firmly in the ground.
Perhaps you’d like to honor someone who taught you how to let go of the
safety of the branches and fly in the wind.
Maybe you simply want to be a part of something that beautifies this
city and gives children wonder. If
nothing else, please take a moment to consider what you will “leaf” behind for
the next generations in your town.
Because nothing lasts forever, except that which you give the next
generation.
Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't
deserve it. I've never done anything for you.' 'You have been my friend,'
replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
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