I See Trees of Green . . .

I see trees of green because, despite hate and chaos, there is still wonder and joy.

My last post ended 2025 with a message of hope, hidden hope, but hope all the same.

The first days of 2026 have unfolded in ways I never thought possible as an idealistic, eternally optimistic, always glass-half-full kind of person. Correction, a glass always refillable. I am not here to repeat the news cycle. You have other sources for that.

My goal, my intention for these weekly musings, began five years ago to offer another view of the world. Not a perfect world. Not a make-believe, bury my head in the sand existence. Only a reminder, a sliver of what I believe can never be erased—hope, kindness, possibility.

I have a mantra. A few words that I carved out to remind myself that to go forward, to make a difference, I must:

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

Because… deep kindness always matters. Being brave is more about courage. Brené Brown defines courage as, “‘Speaking one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’ Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen,” and always living into our truest self and being unapologetically you.

You may see the world differently. I may not have witnessed or felt the same anguish and horror as others, but I have carried loss and unfathomable tragedy.

We all experience it vicariously through our phones and media. The worst of the world slaps us in the face every day, daring us to hold onto hope. The force that divides us wins when we despair.

I woke up the other day and realized I can’t stand up for what is good if I don’t know that good exists. So, I looked around. I saw a neighbor walking his dog, I heard the wind rustling through the trees, and listened to the incessant cooing of the ring-necked dove on my chimney.

I read notes of encouragement from a friend, received sweet dog videos from my sister, and started my day with a hug, a reminder that we can do more, be more, when we face the world together. We were never meant to stand alone.

So much is out of my control, but I can do this. I can string a few words together, offer you a story, an idea that gives hope.

The poet Mary Oliver (because I love poetry) gave us these words:

Look between the trees

“There is a crack, a crack in everything / That’s how the light gets in.”
—Leonard Cohen, “Anthem”

What a wonderful world

I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment

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And always—