Do trees like selfies?

I was able to spend time with my extended family this weekend. We gathered at the park to eat and play. Tall kids, medium kids, small kids, and adult kids. We laughed, we talked, we had a few tears, but mostly we loved being in each other’s presence. I will occasionally take photos when we gather and later realize I am in none of them. This time I decided to take a selfie with everyone. As I was deciding who was next the tree caught my attention. I wondered if the tree cares about selfies? It was quite a funny thought, but I decided to take a selfie with the tree. And this is what I got…

I got a blurry photo and not what I thought was the best side of the tree. I am still undecided if trees like selfies too. I’m not obsessed with selfies, but I do like seeing old photos that show I too was present when our family gathered.

When I look back on old photos I wonder why my hair looked like it did, why my mom (or myself) dressed me in the clothes I was wearing, or why I don’t see the people in the photos as often as I once did.  I notice how much life has changed, how others have changed, how life was then and how it is now.

So as I see the tree in the selfie, I notice the markings. They look fresh, but they could be old. I wonder what happened, how it feels, how its healing. And then I return to myself. What is happening? How do I feel? How am I healing?

Hmmm…somehow the reflection of the tree calls me back to myself, and then to God. God, what is happening? And how are you healing me?