Trees, trees, and more trees,  reach to the gray blue sky.  Most naked of their leaves. Some willows and pin oaks hang on. Autumn winds swept the green, gold, orange, and crimson red away to the earth to repurpose and mulch other plants.  The trees’ limbs are bare, exposed. Their shapes form letters “J”, “V”,”X”, “Y” , and “Z”. Each tree has a story why it is shaped the way it is. What thunderstorm broke which limb, what drought stunted its growth, what sunny spring brought fullness of life.  Squirrels and birds nests still rest in the crooks, a shelter high from the earth, but subject to the weather tossing its substance this winter season. The trees are dormant, but not barren.  A big difference. Sun and warmth comes and spring buds green once again. This somber December day brought the burial of a wonderful Christian man. Not young, but not old either. The life swept out of him from cancer while on this earth. But life everlasting in Heaven at Home with our Maker is his. Thank you Jesus for making this possible. Good bye for now cousin Mike. Until we meet again this season we decorate a tree and place lights on it to remind us of the light of Jesus, our everlasting Life in Him. Mike, I am sure you are a shining Star in Heaven…