This old sycamore tree was quite the center of attraction when I was a young girl.  It was situated on the bank of a bubbly creek that ran behind our home.  Many hours were spent climbing up and over the water where all kinds of dreams were imagined and my world mounted with make believe and fantasy.  Occasionally we would nail a board or two here and there so as to make stepping and climbing easier.  My brother even fell out of it once and broke his arm!  I remember carrying snacks up there in a bag over my shoulder, finding every comfort in it's broad branches.

Last year that big tree full of memories was blown down in a storm.  The place where I created my castles and princes toppled down and will no longer nestle little climbers with big dreams.  However, I will always love this picture taken not so long before the storm.  Though dreams and trees don't always last forever, their memories take me back to a carefree sunny day when nailing a board back in place was all I had to do to be all I wanted to be.

 ...Sometimes, isn't that just what we need?

Pictures of the tree after it was blown into the creek....and my dad gathering a bag of kindling that came from the tree for me to burn in my fireplace.  Ironic that the wood from that old sycamore is still keeping me warm!  The creek will never quite look the same, but the memories will ever make me smile!