I’M NOT A TREE . . .

Posted on June 19, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

There’s something about a tree.  When it grows old it has gained great stature.  It has reached towards heaven and branched out in many directions.  The circles on its trunk indicate how many years it has endured.  People on the other hand, usually lose their height as they age.  They bend differently than they did 40 years ago.  They aren’t as resilient and the circles around their girth indicate that they’ve overindulged for too long. I refuse to let my age get the best of me.  Instead of feeling old I’ve decided to consider myself a huge barrel of wisdom and knowledge.  I’ve accumulated years of both, along with experience and the scars to prove it.

I used to think 84 was ancient.  That was when I was about twelve.  With each passing year, I’ve discovered that anything older than me was over the hill.  Now in the golden years of life, 125 is looking old and I feel like a young whippersnapper.

I remember growing up in a classroom that still used black chalk boards.  I had a teacher of ample size who always wore black.  When she approached that chalk board, I imagined she must’ve been at least 60.  She’d apply the chalk and create a sentence and erase the same all in one sweep.  Her black dress was apparently smudged with white in conspicuous places when she turned around.  That woman was undoubtedly more like thirty, but to me she looked almost twice that age.

I guess you’re as old as you feel and there are plenty of times when I feel like Methuselah, but I certainly wouldn’t want to live as long as he did.  Today the eighties are considered the new sixties.  Aging doesn’t have to indicate the end of living.  In fact, in this stage of life, you have more time to think about things like the beauty of God’s creation – the joy of watching your children and grandchildren succeed – the comfort in knowing that this is not the end of life, but much more like the beginning.

So happy birthday to me.  I don’t have one foot in the grave yet.  I’m not a tree.  I am a child of God and life is good.  He allowed me this day as a gift.  I can’t wait to meet him personally to thank Him for it.

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About atimetoshare.me

As I reach the end of my years, I find I have a lot of good information stored up in this old decrepit mind of mine. If I don't write it all down, it may vanish and no one will have the advantage of my thoughts. This is why this blog exists. I love the Lord, Jesus with all my heart and soul. I know I'm undeserving of all He's done for me, but I also know that His love is beyond my comprehension. I've always wanted to write. I never kept diaries, but tucked my thoughts in my head for future reference. I use them now in creating stories, plays, poetry and my blog. I continue to learn every day. I believe the compilation of our time spent with God will have huge affect on the way we live. I know I'm a sinner and I need a Savior. I have One through Jesus, Christ. My book, "Stages - a memoir," is about the seven stages of life from the perspective of a woman. It addresses all the things girls and women go through in life as they travel it with Jesus, and it is available on Amazon.com.
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21 Responses to I’M NOT A TREE . . .

  1. Lifetime Chicago's avatar Lifetime Chicago says:
    June 19, 2026 at 9:07 am

    Happy Birthday

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. oldandblessed's avatar oldandblessed says:
    June 19, 2026 at 9:21 am

    “…a huge barrel of wisdom and knowledge.” I like that.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. heavenlyraindrops's avatar heavenlyraindrops says:
    June 19, 2026 at 10:25 am

    Happy birthday! You are loaded with wisdom, but also kindness. Blessings on your day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. insanitybytes22's avatar insanitybytes22 says:
    June 19, 2026 at 11:53 am

    Happy Birthday to you, Kathy! You are such a blessing! I’m really grateful you’re still here, warming our hearts with your words. If you’re going to be a tree, be a willow. They don’t break, they bend, and if a branch falls off, it just starts growing right where it landed. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • atimetoshare.me's avatar atimetoshare.me says:
      June 19, 2026 at 3:21 pm

      I have read that about willow trees. In fact the theatre company I work with has what is called “The Willow Tree Project, which focuses on those 55 and over. Thanks for your kind words. I’m grateful that I am here also!

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. Tom's avatar Tom says:
    June 19, 2026 at 2:14 pm

    Happy Birthday, Kathy! Thank you for your daily devotionals to the Lord that give me encouragement.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Pure Glory's avatar Pure Glory says:
    June 19, 2026 at 4:59 pm

    Happy Birthday, Kathy! Celebrating your life and the essence of who you are today. It is amazing how our perspective of chronological age changes. When I was a young adult, there was a popular saying not to trust anyone over thirty. Now that age seems incredibly young. Wisdom and passing it on to others, never ages out! Continue to share your wisdom, wit, and warmth, as you are beloved!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. joyindestructible's avatar joyindestructible says:
    June 19, 2026 at 5:58 pm

    Happy Birthday, sweetheart. We all age differently and you still sound pretty young to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. WritingfromtheheartwithBrian's avatar WritingfromtheheartwithBrian says:
    June 19, 2026 at 8:39 pm

    Happy Birthday Kathy! Thanks for the positive thoughts each day. A joy to read.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. wendaswindowcom's avatar wendaswindowcom says:
    June 20, 2026 at 12:55 am

    Happy Birthday! 🎊🏆🎂

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Rebecca's avatar Rebecca says:
    June 20, 2026 at 8:54 pm

    Happy Birthday, Kathy! Your faith and positive attitude are an encouragement to many.

    Liked by 2 people

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