To all those who have come to me;
I have finally figured out what I'm viewed as in life. I'm viewed as a tree. Something admirable and strong at first glance. People come to me with worries, and I give them shelter and something to lean on. I shade them from the rest of the world until they're ready to face it again. But every tree weakens with time; and because I am a tree, I am expendable. Rather than support me when I begin to wilt, they keep coming for their shelter and rest. They throw their garbage at me and leave it there to contaminate the ground around me. Eventually I will not be able to keep this up any longer, their garbage will choke me out and their leaning will break my limbs. Do you know what they do to trees that have been worked to wilting point?
They cut them down and ship them off. They strip them down and slice away at the parts that haven't rotted, forcing it into something it's not. The rest is turned into firewood to be burned so that people can enjoy the flames. Part of me has already been cut away, burned for you to enjoy.
Being a tree is something I love, and I wouldn't change it for the world. All I ask is that those of you who I've helped, please refrain from snapping off my branches and ripping off my leaves. This tree is losing its strength and for once wants to be the one who has something to lean on. In other words, I love being a tree, it would just be nice for somebody to come and help me along the way.
Being a tree is incredible at first; but after the appreciation dies and the load becomes too heavy, the only thing left holding you up are your own roots, and even they can't hold on forever.
Sincerely yours,
Your tree
