I loved the way the sun would filter through

If you’ve been following along with my blog and Facebook page, I know I have been a little preoccupied with my current status as the Lorax.   This will be the last of my tirade.  I promise.

Short story:  I have one beautiful BIG tree in my backyard.  The neighbors never really loved it.  Messed up their pool and yard i guess.  But we live in NYC.  My yard was a nice escape from the ugly streets and noise and traffic. The neighbors put in a pool and my suspicions are now confirmed: they removed all roots on their side of the fence.  The tree started to loose leaves on a few branches.  We had it checked out and an arborist said a prune and deep fertilizing in the fall may help restore the bloom.  Before that could happen- Hurricane Irene stuck.

Two branches fell on my neighbors property. Of course we offered to pay for their removal and help with any damages (there really were none aside from dented PVC fence)  and then the ugly began.  My neighbor let loose and demanded the tree be taken down.  She called daily.  Sent over tree cutters to give quotes.  Called me names. This was a girl i have been friends with (i thought) for 14 years.  I couldn’t be guaranteed the tree would recover fully at this point-  so we decided to have the tree removed.   I am emotionally exhausted. It’s not about the tree, really.  It’s about the friendship that never really existed.

This morning she apologized for all she said- but you know, a bell can not be unrung.  Of course I don’t want to turn my face from her and avoid running into each other- we live far too close.  and that’s really hard for me.  But so is forgetting all that she said. and did.  I’m trying to move on and at least be cordial.  My kids are watching.  I guess it’s one of those teaching moments. sigh.  take a deep breath.  Look around at all i do have- and get to working on making the yard pretty again.  We will have to look at it in the present, and not compare it to the yard that was.  There is no rewind.  But I cant loose today loooking back.  There’s too much to miss.

Thanks for all you kind words, comments and emails.  It helped.  You rock!
{hugs}
renne

and the boys LOVED to make mountains of leaves to jump into

it was glorious.

this picture was taken the morning before the storm hit.

we lost 2 limbs.

here is a picture of the ftee after the hurricane.

and midway through taking it down.  I couldn’t take any more pictures.  It was just too hard.

here is my yard now.  it seems so lifeless. and although I try to tell the boys it’s beautiful- we all know this just doesn’t feel like home.

but, it’s done.  Time to turn the page and move on.