Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year for trees, begins this evening. You might not think that late January makes sense as a time of beginning for trees, since in many places they are still dormant and leafless. But in a climate like that of Israel, you can see buds starting to form this time of year. It’s still a considerable wait until leaves are out, let alone until harvest, but all of that is implicit in the first little buds.
What buds do you see in your life that might lead to a harvest down the road?
Tu B’Shevat has been a part of my life since childhood and now in my sixth decade it still reverberates for me in the cycle of the year. While I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith, we lived in a neighborhood that was mainly Orthodox Jewish, and along with my baptismal, communion and confirmation records, I have my certificates of trees planted in Israel. I have very warm memories of this feast of renewal and rebirth, and newer memories and expectations attached to my current practice of celebrating Imbolc.
The bud growing in my life right now is a romantic relationship that began shortly before Thanksgiving of last year. When we met, I had been through a two year period in which I lost my mother, my wife, and one of my brothers. I felt like and very much resembled a tree in winter. My hair turned quite grey, and I was gaunt from weight loss, looking like a naked elm tree against a steel colored sky. I sought warmth and comfort, and was embraced by a most remarkable bunch of folks, especially the members of the Covenant of UU Pagans at my church in Fort Myers, FL. They and the grief counsellors of Hope Hospice surrounded me with hugs and filled me with good soup until I had healed to form a new personal relationship, which is now past the new stage. I can see buds on the limbs of my heart, and hope to see a full crown of leaves and flowers soon.
David, That’s a wonderful post. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Feeling those buds reaching toward my stepdaughter in the northwest who, in her mid-30’s, has her first child. I was tending toward, Well, if she doesn’t want me there I won’t go. It was hard for her when her real mother had just died a few months ago. Really hoping to reconcile and hug that little bundle.