A Leaf shakes

A leaf shakes in the wind as a slight breeze rustles through the tree.  It moves ever so slightly .  No harm no foul I hear her say.  The leaves are still attached and the tree stands strong.  It is a good day.

Later in the season as spring nears, I hear her whimper slightly.  Her limbs are shaking and her leaves are falling, dropping to the ground.  You can see the damage to her.  Her strong trunk is now damaged.  She feels the hurt.  Her leaves, although many on the ground still provide some shade.  She feels her job is complete.  The tree still stands.  No harm, no foul I hear her whisper.  It is a good day.

The wind is strong, so very strong that many limbs are broken.  Leaves are struggling to stay on the branches.   I see the look of sadness on her.  I can hear the tree cry silently.  The tree continues to fight.  You see her strength, her determination.  The tree fights to stay strong, she fights to stay upright, she fights hard.  The tree is still standing.  I barely hear her say, no harm, no foul.  Today is a good day.

The monsoon season has arrived.  The wind gusts whip through her like a knife.  Her leaves catapult to the ground.  Her branches are bare, she has no protection.  Her limbs are shaking violently and you can see the many years of abuse they have taken.  They break in the storm.  I can feel the tree silently giving in to the storm. She looks so weak, so helpless, I hear her sob in the darkness. I hear her cry foul.

My mom cries frequently now.  She is weak from the daily struggle against Parkinson.  She has gotten worse.  Her hands seldom leave her sweatshirt pockets.  She is thin from not eating.  She is too proud to be fed.  She eats in solitude, she wants no shame.  I hug her at night and say goodnight, and pray that tomorrow will be a good day.