George's Birthday 2017

Georges Wood 11^th July 2017

On this Georges Birthday, I am taking a moment to reflect on ‘what is the lasting legacy of his life?’ What was essentially him that we still cherish? It cannot just be in the memories, for these are different for all of us and fade with time. It cannot be just in the name “George” for this was given to him 42 years ago today and he existed before the name.  It cannot be just the collection of all his attributes or his talents, for any one of these could be taken away without diminishing his essential self.  It cannot be just in his physical features or mental capacities for these like all phenomena just come and go. It cannot be in his ‘personality’ which is just a mask, a persona, of genetics and conditioning. So what remains that we can say about George that still lives on with us – that is of lasting value?

Is there a clue in his aspiration, the “What I want now”, which runs beside this blog -  a description of his values which apart from the practicalities of money and clothes etc represent a largely 'spiritual' nature wanting charisma, purpose, love, freedom, empathy, insight, perseverance, motivation, stability, and peace etc.

And how do any of us perhaps recognise that it is George’s spirit, his essential nature, which we cherish still? That is what we love, that is what is love and it is within us too in our hearts or it could not be recognised – it is our own true nature. That is the lasting legacy of any life, not just George’s, and not just lasting but everlasting.

And here a final thought: 

A Loving Peace from You by Rohit Shetty

“They say that nothing is forever 

But I don't believe that's true 
That little candle in my heart 
Is a loving peace from you”

…..this is the true legacy. Thank you George! 

News from George’s Wood: We have new residents in the wood – badgers!! We should be pleased but unfortunately they like hedgehogs and three have already fallen victim to their sharp teeth and claws. The following photos show the progress the wood has made since we started in 2011. We have now planted over 150 trees and 50 shrubs! 

1  planting tree six years ago

 2  four months on from first planting

 3 the same tree today!!!

 Scots Pine five years ago

 Same tree today.

Cecile's Oak five years ago

Cecile's Oak today

Fresh green of beech planted two years ago

Just behind the pond are three Sorbus Domestica given by a neighbour (apparently quite rare) - you can see reflections of them in the pond!  Beyond in the marsh we planted 20 Alder trees this spring - seedlings from around the pond - already doubled in size to 2 meters and right by the pond some yellow irises on left and far right transplanted successfully from the other side of wood - but finished flowering now

Poplar - one of the original 7 planted six years ago - all now 40 feet high!

Canopies forming - beginning to feel like a proper wood!

Now take another moment and walk back through the wood - enjoy.