Stand Alone - by Susan Yarrington

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We hiked a local trail in our small community yesterday.  We have hiked and observed these TALL aspens in all  four seasons. This particular aspen was 50+ yards from others of similar size, but this one stood out to me.... against the blue skies and green pines.  It STOOD ALONE.
Actually... it doesn't STAND ALONE...because a little known fact for those who live elsewhere... where aspens don't grow...is aspens are one of the largest organisms on earth.  You can not see it from above ground.... but every aspen tree is a part of a HUGE underground 'community'.  Their root systems are intertwined with one another.   If I carelessly dig one aspen up...it might very well damage the other aspens who share the same 'neighborhood'.
This reminded me of us humans... who share a home, neighborhood or city.  We might believe we STAND ALONE..but we really don't.  We are interconnected....even us introverts!  We are to protect ourselves and others from this tragic COVID 19...YES.... but we will come out on the other side... better.... if we realize there are people out there who need hope, encouragement, food, a nod of acknowledgement (no hugs), a wave...anything SAFE, which helps us know we STAND TOGETHER... against this common enemy.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER....
  • How do you see yourself.... as one who STANDS ALONE? Or STANDS TOGETHER?
  • What has been the positives/negatives of the relational style you tend towards?
  • Who needs you to STAND TOGETHER with them,..... so they can make it to the other side?

This blog is dedicated to Frank Hopp, a dear brother in Christ who passed away while I was taking this picture. He was a man who STOOD TOGETHER for others, thru the      NOT ALONE ministry, in Northern Illinois...R.I.P.

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