Joyce Kilmer once wrote about trees..."I've never seen a poem as lovely as a tree."  Autumn, which is fast approaching, is getting my attention.  The multitude of color starts subtly with the dogwoods roaming into the shades of maroon and purple and their berries bright red.  The elm and maple stand ready to soon shout at me with their reds, yellows and oranges.

Besides their colors, trees have often taught me lessons of kindness and inclusiveness.  I was raised to be exclusive, judgmental and critical by an upper-class, white mother who truly believed that her children were better than 'those' children. Unknowingly, I became prejudice in my thinking of other races, ethnic groups, and anyone that didn't look like me. Today I realize how much I missed in knowing other children that were different and therefore unique.

Finally, as an adult, the trees taught me to open my heart to all...to the dark skinned, foreign speaking, or the old and infirmed and the weak and the lost.  As I gazed at a forest, I began to notice something.  The Universe had created many, many different kinds of trees in that forest.  And, somehow, they were all growing...and growing next to each other.  Each tree found a way to grow, to mature and become the best tree they could...in the company of other different, taller, shorter, leafier trees. Wow! I pondered that truth.  Knowing that much of our creation is a mirror of a deeper spiritual truth, it hit me. People, too, are made to accept, grow together, and get along!!  I wasn't any more worthy, or better than anyone else.  I needed the differences and diversity in my life. My mother's belief was in error.

Since then, the forests and trees continue to remind me of the differences in others that I can embrace and learn from.  I've planted all sorts of trees around the yard and pasture.  They gently remind me of the Universe's ultimate theme....we are all one!

You're looking down Abrahms Creek, in Cades Cove.  It's summer time and the living is easy....sounds like a hit tune. Cades Cove is situated smack dab in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) in SE Tennessee. If you have a Bucket List, put this one down.  It is a must see place.

Last January, I raised my hand, wanting to be picked as a volunteer in the Park. Trust me. In the cold of mid-January, this creek did not even closely resemble the attached photo. But, I soon learned that January was an excellent time of year to begin training for the Volunteer in the Park (VIP) position.  Hardly any visitors!  I could concentrate on all the details without any interruptions.

Now, in September, the GSMNP is fascinating...alive with butterflies, snakes, bears, deer, and visitors.  My 'day job' at the Park is like attending a summer camp!  As a volunteer, I meet people from around the world, interpret one of the many historical log buildings, assist in 'bear jams', and answer the most asked question, "Where is the restroom".  Visitors share their stories of returning to the Park again and again; or stand in amazement, gazing at the "purple mountains' majesty."

Tomorrow is Tuesday.  Another day at 'camp' for me.  I wonder how many bears will be hanging from the cherry trees?  Or, I wonder if the dogwoods are getting ready for fall?  And, obviously, I wonder how many people will ask about the restrooms?