Recollections, Watercolor by Wanda A
It is difficult to realize how great a part of all that is cheerful and delightful in the recollections of our own life is associated with trees. –Wilson Flagg
I realize the image above isn’t a “real” tree, but this tree is special to me. Wanda, my sophomore year college roommate and brilliant art major, painted and gave the tree to me as a gift at some point before we parted ways–she to an art school in New York, me to an internship in Maryland.
The inspiration for this watercolor was a young tree that grew outside of our first floor dorm room. We often sat in our room with the window open and gazed at this tree. When alone, we contemplated and meditated. When together, we people-watched and discussed the trials and triumphs of life and love with our favorite tree always in view.
I looked for the tree almost seven years ago when I first returned to the campus as a professor; unfortunately, it is no longer there. I don’t even have a photograph, so I’m grateful my roomie and friend immortalized the tree through her artwork.
Wanda informed me that her daughter [corrected] is headed to our alma mater this fall [gasp]! Hopefully, she’ll find a special tree and much that is cheerful and delightful.
I am joining Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.
What a sweet thing for your friend to have done. Sometimes, we just don’t know what will be important to us as we grow older. What’s even nicer is that you and Wanda are still in touch.
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Yes. And I realized while revisiting this image just how long and deep my love for trees is. Definitely a blessing to be in touch with old friends. That’s what I consider the only “real” redeeming quality of Facebook. LOL!
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What a pretty painting of a pretty little tree. Sad it’s gone. We need far more trees in the world in order to save the planet, not less.
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I figure it must have been sick or “cut down” by lightning. It’s been replaced by several trees lining the walkway. The campus is a tree haven. Really. Must of my tree love photos are from campus.
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Thank you for reading from my blog. The tree image reminds me of the baobab tree of Africa which is found in other areas too. Take care now.
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Thanks! You just reminded me I have a pic of a baobab tree. The trunk is huge. Well, the tree is HUGE. Maybe, I’ll share it for another #ThursdayTreeLove!
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I love trees. Here in the Low Country of SC, we have a lot of old oak trees. Also a lot of palm trees. The old oak trees have Spanish moss hanging from them. I’ve been told not to touch the moss as it will cause a rash. Right now, looking out of my office window, I am watching the crepe myrtle tree limbs dance in the summer breeze. 🙂
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Yes, I love, love, love the mossy oaks. You should join #ThursdayTreeLove and share those crepe myrtles! 😉 Are you feeling better?
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I went to dr. and new meds are helping. Slowly but surely. You are so sweet to ask. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
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Happy the new meds are helping. Hope you’re back to your super-self soon. Hugs…
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Beautiful!
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Thank you!
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Sad that this beautiful tree is gone but glad that you still have the painting! I’m pretty sure every generation will find something unique to treasure from their time at college! Life does come a full circle, it seems!!
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There are other trees planted in its place, so I suspect that something was wrong with the tree or lightning struck it. I AM happy that we have the memories–and the painting. 🙂
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So glad to hear that, Chandra!
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Wow! The tree lives on via this painting! What a unique bond between friends! Super!!
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It does!!! Thank you!!!
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Chandra I can’t believe you still have the painting! I had forgotten about it until I saw your link. How ironic that although the tree is no longer there our memories at a campus named Oakwood will last for aa lifetime.
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Yes!!! I still have the tree and another drawing you did as a cover for my creative writing project. I’ll have to share it one of these days.
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I love this post. I think the story is beautiful and that makes the tree live in your hearts even when it’s no more.
What a beautiful bond. Can you believe I haven’t been to my college since I finished my courses? I would love to go back and live some memories once again. Thanks for joining with this story!
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Thank you! I hope you take a moment to go back to your college days. It’s nice to recapture a bit of who we were way back before “adulting” full time.
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I can imagine how special this picture is and how special the tree must have been to you. What a wonderful memory of one’s college life – a time that is always so special
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It was a special time. We don’t appreciate those pre-adulting times enough though!
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Lovely painting and a heartwarming story. How we are losing our trees. It breaks my heart to see greenery getting replaced by concrete.
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Oh no! You’d love my university campus and the area we live in–trees everywhere!
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