Once on the occasion of a visit to Casa Loma in Toronto I had the opportunity to overhear a verbal exchange between a woman and I presume her young son. A back and forth conversation ensued between the two. From my vantage point, some distance from the pair, I became aware that the mother was being pestered by the youth to provide him something he desired at that very moment. It seemed neither one was making much headway in convincing the other. The son growing increasingly frustrated with the way things were progressing raised his voice and uttered emphatically “I hate laters.”
A Little Bit of Tree Wisdom
“There is a tree that grows in Japan that is truly unique. It is called the Asunaro tree. This tree is planted as a seedling under the ground and must be carefully watered every day without fail otherwise it will die. However, it remains under the ground, out of sight, for 5 full years. After this time it bursts forth from the soil and grows up to 120 feet and with a huge girth and reaches the tree’s potential within the sixth year of its planting. The hope-filled gardener must patiently attend to its watering every day for 5 years before the results of tremendous devotion, commitment and trust can be seen.”
Author Unknown
There is something inside most of us which abhors waiting. Perhaps we are least patient with biding our time while we nurture our own inner transformations. I find myself not easily identifying with the planter who awaits the mysterious germination of the Asunaro tree. However, I can find wisdom in the caretaker’s faithful attention to what he can only trust is happening supported by his efforts. Only after years of waiting and watering does the gardener have the benefit of seeing what his fidelity has nurtured. Perhaps in some unknown way, wrestling with the waiting, waters our own growth.
Nancy Wales, CSJ