Trees

Not all the leaves in California fall
Some stay 'round all winter long
How can they stand the wind?
Why do they remain?
How can they be renewed
And turn from brown to green?

Not all the leaves in California survive
Some grow old, lose hope and die
How will they be remembered
How can they stand the cold
How can they be renewed
When everything grows old?

In the spring when the baby came
Hope and joy and love came too
In the fall when the baby comes
Spring and hope and joy come too
Grandma and Grandpa will buy
A toy or two
Mom and Dad will see in his eyes
The words I love you

Not all the leaves in California fall
Some stay 'round all winter long
How can the stand the wind?
Why are they renewed in spring?
How can they not turn green
When new leaves play and laugh and say
I love you

1993: I wrote this around the time we were expecting Tanner. Elaine's Grandma passed away, and I was thinking how someone goes out of the world and another comes in. I also was thinking about the energy a new baby brings to the earth, what was that energy, and that Tanner would just add to the love in, not just our little family, but our extended family. Tanner is going to be 16 in a couple weeks and I can say that the great character traits he brought to the world when he was born, continue to bless our lives today.