Sweethearts

"To fell these trees would be no loss at all,
Whose age and sickness would your axe forestall;
A youthful successor with much better grace,
And plenty will supply the vacant place."
(The Whole Art of Husbandry--excerpt from Uncle Bob's article in "Tree Care Industry" Magazine october 2007)

Around 1957 Dad planted a beautiful umbrella tree in the front yard at 8454 Oso Avenue. Some years later when the tree was mature, he carved T "heart" A and three consecutive hearts that were naturally forming in the ash-colored bark. The tree provided years of shade to the entire house as it reached an enormous height and a certain amount of notoriety as an unusual tree for this cozy Canoga Park neighborhood. Mother even remembers neighbors commenting on that "stick in Amanda's front yard!" During Mother's "heart collecting" years, (before the "cherries collecting" years) this tree symbolized two people in love with each other and certainly in love with hearts! Then as the years began to steal their youth, the hearts in the tree symbolized much more, enduring love and a love that would withstand many trials, and last a lifetime. All of their grandchildren and most of their great-grandchildren know well the story of those entwined hearts and the example of love they represent.

Today a windstorm took that tree down. We are saddened to be sure. And as Bodelia's chainsaw whirled, they stood in their window reminiscing every detail together of planting, carving and being shaded beneath that tree. Bob came, Judi came, and Fred and I were there to see what we could do.

All that I can say now is that the section of the tree with the enduring hearts will be saved and treasured for years to come, and that Mom and Dad's love is safe, secure, and as solid as it has ever been. Sweethearts. How blessed the Wallace family is to know of such a love.