A Great Oak

We went to see John Darrin’s family in San Saba last weekend. It was such a great weekend, as is every weekend that we spend there. His parents live in the house that his maternal grandfather, Granddad, grew up in. He calls it the Home Place. I like that. They have a beautiful house surrounded by pecan trees and some astoundingly huge oak trees. The oak trees are magnificent. Darrin, my father-in-law, estimates that the one in the back yard is somewhere around 300-400 years old. I would guess that it would take 4 adults to reach around its massive trunk. Here is a picture of it:

It is a little difficult to grasp the enormity of this tree. There is another tree on the western edge of their property that is known as “The Wedding Oak.” It is equal in size to the oak in the Barker’s back yard. It is a magnificent tree. Here is the explanation of the name:

“Long before the Spanish invaded this rich San Saba River bottomland, where native pecans grow in profusion, Indian braves and shy Indian maidens met and were united in wedlock, as local legend has it, beneath this oak's sheltering boughs. Later, in horse-and-buggy days, the tree was a popular spot for matrimonially-inclined residents of the area to visit and exchange pledges and marriage vows. The tree was also a legendary place for Indian council meetings.” [source]

One really cool part of the wedding oak is that if you look closely you will see one of the areas the tree to growing over a cut off limb resembles a heart.

Pretty neat, huh?

Between the oaks that we saw this weekend, and Colton Wayne being born and Candace becoming a stay-at-home mom, I am reminded of a poem that I wrote for my mother, a great oak, last year for Mother’s Day. I hope you enjoy it.

A Great Oak

A great oak stands strong in the world,

Tirelessly weathering all that comes upon it.

Weary bodies seek rest below it and protection from storms under its boughs.

And once the rain is gone and the respite taken, they go on their way.

They sometimes thank the great oak,

Though not always and not to the degree merited.

They do not see all that it weathers,

They do not see the burden borne by the tree that was given by them.

The great oak gives all and forbears all, patiently lovingly quietly.

It wants only security for those whom it protects, only joy for those who find rest ‘neath its canopy.

It is all beauty, all grace, all loyalty, and all perseverance.

If it does grieve under the burdens given, the great oak does not let it show.

It embodies love of the purest form.

The love of a mother, unconditional, unswerving, without regard to the recipient’s merit.

The great oak lives to give of itself, to serve those whom it loves so dearly, to comfort those who seek it in distress,

It is a great oak indeed.

Eventually they will see these truths, when they are grown themselves.

The great oak will become their standard, that which they emulate and strive so hard to be like.

They have a great deal to live up to, but the great oak will be ever present, 

To gently guide, softly correct, and strongly love,

Until they are great oaks too.