I don’t know when I decided to start climbing the mango tree in my grandparent’s front yard or why I decided it would be a good idea to hang upside down from one of the lower boughs. But once I learned I could do it, I never wanted to stop. Even though the bark scraped the back of my knees raw, even though there were always fire ants crawling on the trunk, I wanted to live in this tree.
There was a power in knowing I could climb it. That I could scale the limbs. That I could suspend myself as long as I wanted. That I was strong enough to do it.
I loved the gasps it drew from my mother.
I was going to snap my neck, she assured me. I would crack my skull wide open.
It didn’t seem that high even then. I could touch the grass with the tips of my fingers as I hung there. So it never really worried me. It was easy to see she was bluffing. How worried could she possibly be, snapping photos with her rectangular 110 while my little sister posed beside me with a Cabbage Patch Doll?
At school, I sucked at sports. I was a slow runner. Instead of catching rubber balls that were sent flying in my direction, I cringed and dodged. I couldn’t pitch. I was a lousy kicker. I was always picked last.
But I could climb the rope all the way to the top.
And I could scale this tree.
My tree.
Until my grandfather cut it down to put in a paved driveway.
It had stopped producing fruit. I don’t remember if I cried. I’d probably moved on to bigger things.
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The prompt this week was to share a favorite photo, the moment and the meaning behind it.
If only I was still that limber.
This is such an emotional post… i have cringed at the thought that i had never learned to climb a tree… and listening to you about your adventures, i continue to feel the same. But, what a beautiful, inspiring post… reminding us that childhood memories are something so precious and valuable that no matter how much we move apart, we can still go back to the times when we were cared for.
Aw, I truly love this! Climbing trees IS a powerful thing! Love the picture that goes along with this
Oh we were so much the same kid.
I gagged and wheezed if I ran too much. Always got tagged first. Had anxiety attacks in gym class when it was my turn at bat.
But I could climb the shit out of a tree.
I love the story behind this photo. You did a lovely job laying it out and letting it be significant without over dramatizing. Thanks for writing!
I used to love climbing the banana tree in my grandmother’s backyard until one day, a banana spider happened to get in my way. Then, I started noticing all the other banana spiders and how they liked to stay in the trees. Never again.
When I saw your picture the first thing I thought was “Oh I hope she’s the one hanging upside down…that is great!” LOL
What a great picture and story to go with it! I was never good at sports and I could never climb a tree so I can understand how this would have made you feel strong and proud. I know it would’ve done the same for me!
Despite my general lack of grace or coordination, I did like to climb trees. I also fell out of them with alarming regularity, which freaked my mom out, but I’ll point out I’ve never actually broken a bone. (And now I’m hearing my mother’s voice in my head: “You’re only 40…it could still happen!)
Loved the reminder of those days when falling didn’t seem that scary!
oh i really enjoyed this. i love that you have such vivid memories of climbing the tree and how your mother reacted- and i love that you can pair it with a photo. good stuff.
I love the adventurous, strong side of you captured here.
I also appreciate the “sass” at your response to your mom’s warnings and picture taking. I see this in my girls- and secretly love their spunk.
{I’m sorry that the tree was cute down. But hat tip for your looking forward and onward.}
I wish I could climb trees!
That totally bummed me out when you said he cut it down!
I couldn’t climb trees, but I could do a perfect headstand…I understand exactly how empowered you felt by the ability to climb…what a great photo…a great reminder of a wonderful moment of your life…
“There was a power in knowing I could climb it. That I could scale the limbs. That I could suspend myself as long as I wanted. That I was strong enough to do it.”
Too many girls don’t even try to do things like climb trees because they don’t know their own power. I am glad that you did!
This post made me think of the crab apple tree we used to have in our yard. I can relate to how you felt about your tree, because I loved that tree with all my heart. What a lovely post. (Incidentally my father cut down that tree as well. He said the little berries stained the driveway.)
This photo and your writing had me recalling those days of living fearless, adventurous, and free. That despite set-backs, you recovered. I really enjoyed it, and I’m walking away wanting to honor that free-spirited tree climbing energy in all of us. Thanks.
Aww, look at what a cutie you were (and still are!). I fished Graham out of our orange tree at least three times already today. He gets way up and gets stuck but I prefer it to the huge oak at the park that some 5yo girl taught him to climb. It is HUGE.