The Three Trees

Every summer as a child, Delilah would visit with her Grandparents. She loved to visit with them. It was so different out in the country. In the city, where Delilah was from, she could constantly hear traffic. She would look up at the night sky, but seldom could see the stars. She had no backyard to play in - she and her mother lived in a high-rise apartment building.

Oh, but at Nana and Papa's house, even the air smelled different. She smelled the sweet scent of honeysuckle and wildflowers on the breath of the wind - instead of gasoline and tar. She could hear the beautiful voices of the birds as they sang away happily in the trees. She could go into the garden and pick berries, mint, apples, and lemons; and with them, she and Nana could make something delicious to eat. Papa would let her help groom the horses; and as night fell, she and Papa would lie in the grass and stare up at the sky. There were so many beautiful shiny stars that they couldn't possibly count them all - even though they tried every night.

Nana and Papa were so very loving. In the morning, Delilah would wake to the scent of warm biscuits with fruit preserves, eggs, and bacon. They would all sit at the table and eat together. After the chores were done, Papa would tell her stories, and she and Nana would pick wildflowers. At night, Nana and Papa would tuck her in, and Nana would sing her a song. Then, a Delilah would stare out the window until she fell asleep. Outside, in the distance and past the garden, there were three trees. She adored these trees for some reason. They had been there as long as she could remember. They were not very large trees, but she loved how the leaves swayed in the wind. In the daytime, she would play underneath them. There was something very calming and reassuring about them. As Delilah marveled at their beauty, her imagination ran wild. They whispered to her as she fell asleep.

Delilah always remembered the time she spent with Nana and Papa. While she was there, it seemed she was in a magical world, and she never wanted to leave it. When Delilah grew up, she promised herself that she would never forget Nana and Papa, and that they would always be in her heart. She still visited them every summer for a while. But, life happened. Delilah became very busy, first with college, then with her job and her own life. Her visits became fewer and farther between. Summers came and went. The years trailed by.

One day, Delilah got a phone call from her mother with bad news. Papa was ill. Delilah was distraught. "How can Papa be sick," she thought. Papa always seemed so strong. She had to be there for him and Nana, so, she took the first flight available. When she arrived, she was greeted by Nana. Nana looked different - the years had begun to show on her face. Delilah ran to and hugged her tightly. "I am so sorry Nana," she said, "I should have..." Nana put her hand up. "Don't go saying crazy things," Nana said, "we understand, and I am just so happy to see you now." They embraced again, and then went into the house. Papa was very ill, and was not able to speak, be he knew Delilah was there. He reached up and touched her face, and smiled. "Oh, Papa," Delilah exclaimed. She vowed to him that she would stay and look after he and Nana. And she did just that.

A little while later, while Delilah was picking berries in the garden with Nana, she noticed that Nana was staring off at the three trees with longing in her eyes. "Nana," Delilah asked, "what's wrong"? "Oh, nothing," she responded. "I was just thinking. I noticed how much you used love the trees. Have I ever told you about them"? Delilah had to think for a moment. "No Nana," she answered. "I don't think you have." Nana put down her basket and sat down her hat, and took Delilah by the hand. They walked through the garden to the trees. "These trees are very special to us," Grandma began. "We planted the first one on the end a very long time ago, when we were married and bought the farm. It was just a little sapling. Your Papa and I made it our tree. Then, when your mother was born, we planted another sapling - the one of the opposite end. And when you were born Delilah, we planted this one right here in the center." Delilah was amazed. She never knew. Delilah went to her tree, and placed her hand on it. Then she said, "But why Nana"? Nana smiled and said, "Because those tiny saplings grew into strong trees that will live for a very long time, just like the love and strength of our family. And we wanted you to always remember even after me and Papa and your mother pass on, how much we love you, and how we will always be with you - just like these trees that are standing here together."

Delilah looked at her grandmother, and began to cry. They hugged one another, and went back to the garden. Delilah kept her promise and stayed there to look after Nana and Papa. Shortly after autumn began, Papa passed away. Nana passed away the next summer. However, they had left Delilah the farm and all of their love, and to this day, she still stares at the trees, and remembers her Nana and Papa.

Source:

Rembrandt van Rijn, The Three Trees, The Library of Congress