Growing Things

Christian's Hollyleaf Cherry

First, I love Hollyleaf Cherry trees! In April of 2013, we had just gotten back home after traveling out of state to see our new grandson, Christian, born. We knew ahead of time that he would not survive--his kidneys and lungs never developed--and we wanted to be there to participate in his birth and very short life. He was very teeny, but "beautiful and perfect" in the words of his father. One of the items that the Bereavement Counselor had for Christian was a very small bracelet with a dragonfly charm. When I came home and on my very first hike saw a flame skimmer dragonfly on this Hollyleaf Cherry tree, it seemed fitting to honor Christian by naming the tree after him.