Somehow this tree seems to invite you to climb up and nestle in the crook of all its branches, up against the heart of its massive presence. You couldn’t make a home there, but you could certainly feel at home.
Who or what makes you feel welcomed and embraced?
I’m embraced by my PFLAG chapter. Most churches & social groups in my town aren’t accepting of all persons. So I try to ensure PFLAG is a welcoming group. This is harder than it seems. I tend to think that others must feel welcome if I do. But we’ve had guests who didn’t feel so. I must strive to learn what makes various types of people feel welcome or not.
To Fallen Tree: I sympathize with you in your feeling expressed about the make up of a PFLAG group. I have attended groups that we have at our fellowship and find that it, too, is a mix of those who need and want to express themselves and others who can’t speak of their feelings, positive or negative. I think that at least there are people together, listening to each other.
When I have a phone call from a close friend, just to talk, or perhaps to say something important between us, I feel the human quality of togetherness. Sometimes it is about inconsequential things but sometimes, after discussing an issue that seems to be affecting our whole world negatively, I feel in touch with at least one other person who is thinking about what I am concerned about too.
I feel welcomed when my dog runs up to greet me and then leans against me with her tail wagging while I pet her.
Martin, having the love of a dog is one of the great things about our relationship between them and us. I still remember my dog Freckles who was almost my best friend when I was a girl; he had a wagging tail, too!