Our willow tree towers over the backyard. We think it has reigned behind our house ever since the house was built back in the sixties. The big old trunk is knarled and knotted and wide. Ed and I wrapped a tape measure around the knobby trunk, and its circumference is almost 14 feet around. We love our tree.

I vaguely remember another weeping willow tree. I was about three years old. The tree was in the yard of our country parsonage in Nebraska. I don’t remember much about that house; only the long flight of stairs that went from the first floor to the second floor–I fell down those stairs when my mom was in the hospital with my baby sister–and the weeping willow. Ever since then, the graceful, swooping green trees have been my favorites.

Willow trees are messy. They grow fast and are made out of soft wood. They are a reckless tree; they drink a lot and dance in the wind. Sometimes they break. Weeping willows die young. They don’t grow old like the stately oak tree or even a sugar maple.

Our willow tree’s time has come. Most of the top is dead, and it isn’t as generous with shade as it used to be. It’s time for it to go.

The tree service will come to cut down our tree today, weather permitting. Our whole family is sad; we have become very attached to our tree.

View under the weeping willow tree

And yet…

Everything old is new again.

On my dining room table, I have some willow fronds from the old willow tree in a vase. Little roots are starting to form at the cut ends of the twigs. Lily and Emmy are hoping that in the spring, we’ll have a little willow tree to plant in the backyard.

Everything old is new again.

Time to share your Spin! Gretchen at Second Blooming and I are teaming up to bring you the Spin Cycle. Link up your blog post below, or share in the comments: tell us your take on “Everything old is new again.” Join us again on Monday to find out what next week’s prompt will be.

(Just a sidenote…the willow is next to the power line to the house, so I’ll be without power for a while. I’ll come by and read your posts as soon as I have internet access!)

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