blessings from a banana palm

 

there is a banana palm that grows in my neighbor's front yard. though young and somewhat small in stature, it's still quite a sight to behold. through fog and sunlight, its leaves are a luscious shade of emerald, joyously reaching for the sky. the Life that shines from within this Being is vibrant. that was, until winter arrived. the arrival of winter brought violent wind and rain. i watched the storms from my window. and with each storm's passing, the little tree hung its head lower, and bowed down to the ground. until, one morning, after the last raindrop had fallen, i stepped out from my front porch to see, the beautiful life i gazed upon each day, was gone. where there were once impressive stalks upholding regal fronds, it now appeared as though every limb on this being's body was broken. in some places, severed from its very self. where there were once massive leaves, now hung shredded ribbons. some ribbons, at best, mere threads. its heart torn from its chest. crushed of spirit and shattered of heart. i am no stranger to such wounds of storms. i bowed my head in silence. this precious life had passed before my eyes. the banana palm was gone.

or was it?

the days turned into weeks. the weeks into months. and with the passing of time came the arrival of spring. one morning, as i strolled down the brick walkway, a glimmer of pale green caught my eye. i hesitated. it couldn't be. this humble tree was too damaged, wounded far too deeply, for any signs of light to be shining from within. yet, sure enough, from the delicate folds at the very center of this precious Being, was evidence of Life. and as i gently held the tender, pale, spiralled tips of new palm fronds in my fingertips, i was gifted the blessing of a lesson in presence: i realized, through each storm and the sunlight to follow, what was the little tree called upon to do? nothing. absolutely nothing. all it had to do was simply Be. and through each and every wound, no matter how deep, Life tenderly cares for and miraculously restores every aspect of the little tree's Being. there is no need to worry or dwell upon storms of the past. no need to fret about storms that may or may not come in the future. there is only the living completely and entirely in the present moment. i feel certain, life will bring more changes in the weather. i feel certain, along with the cool fog and warm sunlight, the little tree may endure fierce winds and powerful rains, season after season. and i feel equally certain, the banana palm will magnificently Be... One precious moment at a time.

~ janean christine mariani