I love driving into our thirty-year-old cul-de-sac! One that gives evidence of homes that have lovingly been cared for by one family after another. A street where young boys have played hockey with their dads before moving on to bigger things. A place where you will find neighbors visiting on sidewalks on long summer evenings. I appreciate the 'established' feeling of homes framed by tall evergreens and backyard birches bending in ice storms to bud with bright green foliage in the spring -joining the cherry blossoms - and Japanese maples that turn ever so red in the Fall before they blanket the ground in color.
There is a sense of ownership of what happens on this street, where neighbors take in each other's mail when one is on vacation and just generally look out for each other. So . . . no wonder . . . when, one day last week, I jumped when I heard the sound of tree cutting and mulching and all that goes with it. I was almost afraid to look out . . .
but there they were . . . our new neighbors across the street obviously do not share any of my sentimental feelings. Barely moved in, the tall evergreens were quickly coming down.
I watched in horror . . . and when they were done in front, they continued in the back yard.
The land is cleared . . . for what I do not know.
Yet I have to remember that even in this, . . .
in trees and streets and neighbors . . . there is a season.
May I find grace to embrace the new.
16 comments:
It was sad to see the end of our street turn into a whole new neighborhood a few years ago. All the trees gone and houses put in. So glad that God gives up what we need as things change around us...
oh!!! :( :( :(
I grew up on a cul-de-sac and also love it for the same reasons you mentioned; we would have loved to have found a place on a cul-de-sac when we moved here, but we are grateful for a large yard, trees and all kinds of plants/bushes. We did cut down a tree in our front yard a few years ago because it literally rained sap on everything - cars, the front windows, the front steps, the grass (so we never wanted to sit on the grass). And now one other front yard tree has gotten so big it is encroaching on the power lines. Hydro is happy to hack it back in the most unloveliest way...hubby and I don't quite agree on what to do with it, but since he takes care of the yard, it will probably be cut down....and replaced with a magnolia that we can prune and maintain in a manageable size.
But if our back or side neighbors ever decide to cud down the evergreens that line the fence and give us great privacy...I'm quite sure I would cry.
Great post!!! :-) Missing you today!
I always hate to see trees coming down. Hope the changes will not be too drastic.
Wow, I can't imagine what they have planned that will look better than those beautiful tall trees!
OH...my heart hears what you are saying. There is so much ownership to your cul de sac...and one person can change it all up.
New neighbors, who are great, erected a home right in front of my side view.... I am accustomed as I can now wave to them.
I hope they were diseased, or something like that which left no choice. No I cannot imagine why. Did they cast too much shade for the new owner's desired flower garden? Why not then, consult how to have a forest type garden. Oh dear. Some communities have rules about things, what colour you can paint your house, its door etc. Why not rules about life and solace giving trees? Does someone who would do this have any idea of "ecosystems", even those little ones we cherish amidst the concrete?
Sharon
Oh that is incredibly sad. Our kids that built recently had to build according to where the trees were that had to stay put. Our kids that moved recently had to take down trees that were dangerous to the neighbors house. Sometimes it is necessary..I wonder if it was here too.
I hate to see healthy trees being cut down -- sad day.. what does it look like all around..empty feel I bet!!!
Hugs
The loss of trees can change the 'shape' of a neighbourhood. I certainly understand your alarm. I hope the new neighbours had good reason to do this!
I understand your sentiment for those trees I've learned from my hubby that others feel differently. Over the years I've almost had to chain myself to some of our trees to keep hubby from chopping them down. Where I see a beautiful tree he sees pine needles on the roof-rotting siding on the house from too much shade and leaves clogging the gutters! I'm guessing your new folks think this way. Hope they are nice people in spite of their 'chainsaw massacre!.
That's a shame. I know you were disappointed. We live on a very "wooded" street Hope no one breaks out a chain saw here!
I feel with you, Anneliese! If only we had a say in what happens at the neighbour's.
How does that bible verse go?..."love your neighbor as yourself even when they chop down gorgeous evergreens that have been there for 30+ years"...or something like that. May grace and peace go with you to the first block party with the new neighbors!
Thank you, Ocean Soul for that great verse! We have already welcomed them to the neighborhood so we won't un-welcome them (even though that is how I felt on the day the trees came down) =)
My friendly H has chatted with them and has been assured of a beautiful garden coming up soon.
I may have to post an update.
I love all my visits to your blog! So interesting, so real, so creative, and so uplifting!
I had extra time today and I am so thankful that I did. I liked every post, but I must admit, I thought your family picture was real special! I know on a first hand basis, how difficult it is to get good family pictures, but you surely did a great job. What beautiful family!
I am off to buy som L'anza Healing Haircare molding paste. I appreciate the recommendation.
Thanks for blogging!
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