When have you felt like bare branches in winter, and how did you keep going?

I feel like bare branches in winter when I am perplexed by something new I need to figure out. I have no patience for the unknown answers. I want more patience for the unknown answers to bloom. Dormant trees feel so useless. The blooms are so beautiful when they pop out. It is confusing to me when I can’t see the purpose of the rest or the confusion. Growth is beautiful. It is silent until its not. Trees are still beautiful when they are naked and stripped of their life. Are they useless and dead just because they are “naked”? No, they are preparing, planning, calculated time to explode. Their leaves are evidence of their aliveness. Pop, Pop, Pop, Hop, Hop, Hop, Alive Breathing Dancing Skipping We are Alive! Pop, Pop, Pop Celebration! Spring! Yay!

I remember what the trees use to look like. I remember what I use to look like. I remember when… I was a wilting tree. Storms came and they tore off my branches, leaving huge scars. I have a beauty patch! I became flexible in the storm. I allowed for the cracks. The birds came and they said you are still useful. We love you! You BIG Beautiful Tree! Yes, you lost some branches and you are capable of growing new ones and those are even healthier! We see you!

The comeback is more beautiful than the fall. Ya’ll! Get you some nutritious dirt, ask for help to bandage your wounds, stand tall, stand proud, bend and sway, see the other bruised and battered
“trees” as they show the way. Survival means you earned the right to smile and blossom. Now, keep watering your soul sucking up the nutrition. You are built for anything!