Magnificent Magnolia stands tall

I love Mae Maples’ Magnolia Tree.

I think her daughters got it for her for Mother’s Day some 60 years ago.

I should really call it the Kovacik’s Tree, as they have lived there for 15 years or so.

It has slowly reached its branches over our yard, first over a clothesline that stood between our houses.

When that came down and a doggy fence went up, she reached even further up toward the sky.

She stretched and shook off winter after winter’s slumber, peeping into our backyard with her delicate blooms.

Then the dogs crossed the rainbow bridge, and a decorative privacy fence went up. That didn’t stop her; she decided she was going to be the neighborhood watch tree.

Soaring toward the heavens, trying to match the tall pine tree that has been her big brother since she came here from the nursery farm.

She stood tall, watching as each of us came and went, another generation playing in the backyard.

She put up with different households of dogs marking her as theirs. She welcomed sparrows, robins, and even starlings in her warm embrace.

She chastised our cats from over the fence when they trilled and chirped at the birds, letting the gust of wind lift her arms in warning to them.

She has joined countless dinners on the patio, never asking for much – a little rain, some sunshine.

When autumn came, perhaps sharing some ghost stories around the fire pit, using her gnarly arms to a witching effect on us all.

When winter came, maybe a white blanket for when it was time to lie still.

Spring will come, and she will be in her Easter best. Oh, you didn’t notice the showy blooms yesterday?

You seem to marvel every year how quickly I blush and flower, seemingly overnight, but I have been here all year, waiting for you to notice me.

I will be here when another family lives here and there I will smell their cookouts; I will shelter their pets; I will hear stories told; I will raise my glorious arms to the sky in triumph. I am Magnificent!

Contact Lynn at tct@pageone-inc.com