These are actually trees from my house... pre-hacking, of course.

My house’s landscape is a thing of wonder.  The front yard looks rustic meanwhile the backyard looks like the set of Lost. Pine trees in the front, palm trees in the back.  I guess whoever built this house was more about variety than consistency.

Even though there are approximately 75 plus trees on the property (yeah, I counted), I actually like being surrounded by the crazy foliage.  Not only do the trees almost hide the fact that the house is situated on a busy street, I enjoy the sound of wind blowing through the palms and watching Paco and Penny (a.k.a. the squirrels) scurry around the front yard.

This little arbor getaway of mine was quite enjoyable up until this summer.  A landscaping crew was sent in to trim the trees – and rather than trim, they hacked.  Basically, the property looked like it got a bad haircut.

The shade was gone, Paco and Penny had to find refuge elsewhere, and it felt as though my house was now exposed to the world.  It was devastating at best. (Sorry, I get a little dramatic sometimes. At least I can admit I have a problem.)

Much like the times when I’ve had a bad haircut, I reminded myself that it’d grow back.  But I was reminded of my pain every time I saw the bare trees or felt the sun stinging me through the windows.  It was not an easy summer.

Although my mom wasn’t nearly quite as devastated by the “trimming” as I was, she reminded me that it needed to get done to reduce fire hazard.  Fine.  But tell that to Paco and Penny who just lost a good home.

Pruning is not usually a fun process but I’ve found that it’s a necessary one.  Just like trees, we all go through seasons where we need a trim here or there – and sometimes the trimming turns into hacking.  There are seasons where we just need a good attitude adjustment and other times when it’s necessary to be cut off from things or relationships that are harming us.  After all, when a tree is pruned it’s the dead limbs that are cut off, not the healthy ones.

Pruning can be uncomfortable and at times painful; but the point of it is to bring growth into our lives.  The good news is that when we are willing to be shaped and pruned, we will always come out stronger and healthier.  Holding on to the negative in your life will only spread disease rather than promote growth.  I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be filled with beauty than stuffed with ugliness.

Although the trees have yet to return to their fullness, I can appreciate the fact that the hacking… I mean, pruning, will only make them more beautiful than before.  As for Paco and Penny, I wish them well and look forward to their return.  Their company, as well as their shady bungalow, is sorely missed.