An American Elm Tree

I would like to share with you a story that I read from Miraculous Medal newsletter. Spend a few moments in reflection on this. It is always good to once in a while settle down and have a moment of reflections in our life. It is a good help for us, give us the strength and the courage to carry on and persevere in life and remain a survivor in this world.

Story: An American Elm Tree

I understand that one of the most-sacred symbols in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a tree, a sprawling, shade-bearing, 80-year-old American Elm. Tourists drive from miles around to see her. People pose for pictures beneath her. The city carefully protects her. She adorns posters and letterheads. Other trees grow larger, fuller, even greener. But not one is equally cherished. The city treasures the tree not because of her appearance, but her endurance. She endured the Oklahoma City bombing. Timothy McVeigh parked his death-laden truck only yards from her. His malice killed 168 people, wounded 850, destroyed the Federal Building, and buried the tree in rubble. No one expected it to survive. But it did. The tree became the symbol of hope. So they gave the elm a name: the Survivor Tree. People who are suffering or witnessing tragedy in their life come to look upon that tree to remind them to persevere in the midst of it all. It gives them hope to carry on, to survive.

I remember Saint Francis de Sales quote:

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."