It was that voice again.
Only this time it was whispering to me.
“If you build it, they will come.
If you build it, they will come.”
“Who’s coming?” I thought. “Maybe
I don’t want them to come.”
Then the
voice said something completely unexpected.
It said, “Your seven grandsons, dummy.”
So, I immediately set to work.
And now, I spend my days watching the driveway, waiting, and
anticipating the coming good times of summer.
I know The
Happy Stump is kind of ugly. But, it’s “elevated.” And, it has steps. And boys are not really into “pretty” anyway,
when it comes to such things. They’re
much more about climbing, and jumping off, and new and exciting perspectives on the world, and “how can I make it even better.”
The voice
is right. If I know my guys, and I do,
they're coming. And I’m certain – it won’t
be ugly to them. It will be a hoot! – well, for the first fifteen minutes.
 |
| Summer version of the Happy Stump |
The Back Story
The Happy
Stump actually started life as The Happy Shrub. More than 40 years ago,
it was just an innocent little Red Top Photinia. But, over the years, it
grew, and grew, and grew. In the process it survived a lightning strike
and a chronic susceptibility to a kind of Black Spot Mold which can never really
be cured, only treated - if you are inclined to chronically do so.
That's
where I entered the picture. I encountered that vastly overgrown shrub (left side of the picture) about 12 years ago.
It was shedding leaves like crazy due to the mold. So, I decided to help what was now a 40+ year
old tree, I think out of a simple respect for its sheer tenacity and durability. You hate to give up on something (or someone)
who hasn’t given up on themselves.
So, I
began to gradually and slightly trim the tree to a more manageable size so I
could more adequately treat its chronic mold problem. Over time, the trimming started to change the
look (and feel) of the tree. It became a
truly pleasurable thing to look at. Its
large circumference canopy and the several skinny trunks beneath, which
supported that canopy, caused it to roughly take on the look of a big mushroom sporting
a flat-top haircut.
It was at
this point, maybe three years after we met, that this unique “tree” started to
become “The Happy Tree.” Every hot
Summer in South Arkansas it provided our family with a huge circle of welcome
shade. In that summer shade, we laughed
together, and ate hamburgers and homemade ice cream. We drank cold Cokes, and told tall tales.
We hung a rope swing from its
limbs where my now older grandson’s learned to soar. We decorated it for Christmas and July 4th. And, it shaded the blow-up swimming pools on many hot days. In short that tree wormed its way
into our family’s heart – well, at least, into mine.
And, in all
which it did for us, it did under the burden of its chronic illness. Every Spring and Fall the Happy Tree and I
would quietly doctor its ailment. But, I
could tell that with each season things were getting worse. Limbs began to break and fall off for no
visible reason. And so, its appearance
began to change again. And this time,
not for the better.
This all
eventually became like a long, slow and sad goodbye to a friend. It seemed to enter its final stage a couple
of years ago. Until now, the tree has become
what you see it in the pictures. Not a
single new leaf appeared this year. Obviously,
my old friend had finally succumbed.
So, my
initial thought was to take it all the way down to the ground. I planted a young Mimosa Tree to replace its
needed shade – though never its revered sentimental contributions.
But,
on the day I went out to begin the work of taking down the rest of the tree, out
of the blue, it occurred to me that maybe The Happy Tree was not done yet. Maybe, at least for a few more years, it
could become its own memorial. And, maybe the
old tree and my newer grandsons could make a few joyous memories of their own.
So, I used
what I already had on hand, lumber left over from previous jobs, an old pallet
for the floor, some screws and nails, and a slightly tattered umbrella – and “The
Happy Stump” was born.
I know the Happy
Stump won’t last long. But, while it
does, it will carry on the proud traditions of the tree it once was – a tradition
of laughter and good times in the hearts of children and adults alike.
I think
all of this says something regarding how easily and deeply I can relate to the
life cycle of The Happy Shrub, which became The Happy Tree, which became The
Happy Stump.” Perhaps I see something of
myself, at 71 years, in that tree – but with one huge difference.
