Saturday, May 16, 2009

patience

the thousand year oak, age 4
springing forth
husband is incredibly patient. it's one of the many reasons that he's a keeper. this boy has absolutely stunning patience. he can toss a ball and swing a jumprope for hours. he can direct large groups of small children through intricate treasure hunt after intricate treasure hunt, patiently gathering up the stragglers and making sure they have fun too. i love to watch it, even while i know it's utterly impossible for me.

but the best example of his patience is a little teeny tiny oak tree in front of our house. it's about half a meter tall now. he calls it the thousand year oak. and he doesn't mind that he won't be here in 1000 years to see it (at least not as who he is this time around). we found it in the woods a couple of years ago when it was about 20cm (8-ish inches) tall. it still had the remnants of the acorn attached to its fledgling roots, but he carefully brought it home and planted it (in kind of a dumb spot) in front of the house, next to the driveway. and he thinks it will be a magnificent tree that will still stand there in 1000 years, but it's just beginning its 4th year now.

we make fun of him for it, but i kind of hope he's right.

17 comments:

Gill said...

I hope he is right too. Sounds like a great guy!

Pattern and Perspective said...

Yes, my bf is the same. Has much more patience than I do. Your husband sounds likes ones who is calm & collected.

Just Jules said...

this is lovely. I think I like him

beth said...

isn't it amazing the reasons for why we keep them around ?

and that tree..maybe your hubby is my hubby's long lost brother as he would have done the same thing !!!

Snap said...

He is right! :D Anyone who plants and cares for a tree and children ... has to be right!

Pattern and Perspective said...

For Goodness sake, typos! Ugh. You know what I meant...

haya said...

its a wonder cause men are so out of patience these days. your husband truly sounds like a nice person and yes such a man is definately a keeper.

Stacey Childs said...

I love that, it's very romantic! And I love the fact that he has put it in a stupid place, bloody typical!

Optimistic Pessimist said...

Wish your husband could send a little patience my way. I try, I really do..I just wasn't born with any.

Seaside Girl said...

Yup definitely a keeper. But then I think you might be too for appreciating all that is good about him. Including the fact that he planted the great big oak tree right where it will undermine foundations of house. :-)

Looking forward to meeting you, him and it. x

Delwyn said...

Hi Julie,
isn't that the definition of an optimist? Planting an acorn...expecting an oak tree...

Happy days

Char said...

what a beautiful soul

Liz Fulcher, The Fragrant Muse said...

There seems to be an interesting balance of high energy and deep grounding between you and your man. It'll be interesting to see what Sabin becomes in the coming years.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a great guy!

Cyndy said...

"He that plants trees loves others beside himself." (Thomas Fuller, 1608-1661)

paris parfait said...

Patience is a virture I've never quite mastered. I like your husband's way of thinking about the 1000-year-old oak. Optimism is preferable to the alternative.xo

Maria said...

that is sooo cool, what a neat vision he has and such a nuturing soul.