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The
celebration tree came bursting into life as the moon rose in the Mountain
sky at 7:30PM MST on December 22, 1999. Joining
well over a hundred and fifty decorated trees on a road running
through Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, USA, a tree was decorated
by people from around the world who suffer from, or know someone
who suffers from, the various maladies that are plaguing our world
today. My search began---I wanted to choose a very special tree---
I considered a tree standing alone---isolated from the rest--devoid
of leaves or needles--on the edge of the forest (a metaphor for
our existence), but as I drove the forest road time and again this
thought became more and more unsettling ----- I realized that we
should no longer accept this metaphor. We must reclaim our place
in the sun and we must stand unified in our goals of once again
living healthy, meaningful lives. That dream would require a new
metaphor. Again and again I searched---no tree looked "right."
But this I knew--- it must not be surrounded by fence, it must not
be near pollution, it must not stand alone or be perched precariously
on the edge of a rock formation.
The time of
the cyber celebration drew nigh---at 5:00 PM I gathered up 100 feet
of purple and gold shining garland and headed down the mountain
continuing my search. Just as the sun disappeared in the Western
horizon---the moon inched her way upward from the Eastern horizon
like an elegant glowing yellow orb--I paused in awe. But time was
short. As I was about to drive away five small, interesting trees
of varying shapes and heights, lush with long pine needles, huddling
together and lovingly touching branches caught my eye--- they appeared
to be swaying back and forth in tempo with the breeze beckoning
me to join in their joyful dance--- I did! The trees were shielded
by a bank topped by towering, powerful, stately pines carefully
guarding them from the West wind. I had finally found what had eluded
me for weeks--I had found the perfect spot and the perfect metaphor.
Happily, I
wove the garland back and forth between the branches---uniting them
in a huge bundle of cheer---then dashed home to dress for this special
celebration--- purple and yellow warm clothes -- a necklace that
said "Pollution is killing the things I love---Please Help!!"
oh yes, and a tiara that was sent by a dear friend. I tied wires
to the ornaments which had been sent to me from around the world
and again headed down the mountain at 7:30PM MST to join in the
celebration of cheer and hope that was taking place around the world.
The sky was indigo --the moon was now high, directing her luminous
beams on "our" trees, shadows were tripping merrily on
the mountain side, stars were glistening. A fellow forest creature
arrived and together we set about the joyful bedecking--giggling,
freezing and enjoying the bounty of this magnificent forest on such
an electrifying night---some ornaments were specially made to feed
the birds in the forest---some were hand made---some were taken
from personal trees---ALL were wonderful, sent with much love and
the stories behind them, and perfect for our very "perfect"
trees. One last ornament remained---a huge purple and yellow chemical
injury awareness ribbon--where shall it rest? A branch reached out
to me offering to wear this very special ribbon. And so it was,
the celebration trees were complete. We stood back and admired what
now was the most beautiful event on the mountain, watching moonbeams
bounce gaily between garland and ornaments.
The joy, hope,
love and cheer that this celebration represents WILL be the catalyst
that helps reclaim the health and the lives of all beings on this
planet, as the group of five trees stand proudly together--linking
branches, reclaiming their place in the warmth of the morning sun--and
looking forward to a unified vision of health returning to the Earth.
At 9:00PM MST
I packed up the car, straightened my tiara, and drove South towards
home---a star raced across the sky and tears of joy rolled down
my now scarlet cheeks---I felt blessed--it was a perfect celebration
on a perfect night on a perfect mountain with a perfect moon---
and I arrived home to a perfect message from a Gulf War Vet ---he
said the celebration was "MOONIFICENT"----
Love from the
Mountain---Maggie Maeve Carson MacRaven---looking forward to a brighter
future! |
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