Under the Pear Tree

Under The Pear Tree

Written By: Madison Ann Hawkins

Where to even start, a humble force of life that filled so many hearts. A foundation to a family, full of sweet kisses that overcame me. I felt so safe under that pear tree, strong and rock-solid, due to the incredible perseverance and strength, and the light in us that tree guarded.

Grandma, mom, aunt, friend, and sister. Wife, daughter, a woman so beautiful you couldn't miss her. An entire family sat and played under that pear tree. So many hearts were wrapped under the branches of that pear tree. I always thought of it as this everlasting figure we would never have to part.

A heart of gold that kept being picked away, each pear was picked, each pear gave to those in need, yet the pear tree never looked empty. It kept growing older alongside us all that took refuge beneath its leaves. I used to be reminded, while staring up at its familiar beauty, that I too, was filled with sunshine.

As I laid in the embrace, it filled in my cracks, my imperfections. A constant, my sun, it stood strong through the weather of the Inland Northwest. With every season, every inconsistency, it stood gaining glory throughout the years. The pear tree was always there, strong and resilient, with every line it gained in years, it also gained in beauty.

Our home was not home unless I saw that pear tree sitting elegantly out the window. It brightened my day and many others with its sweet little gifts of life and fruit. You showed me everything and always reminded me to love myself, by teaching me to be grounded, humble, and let the light shine off my limbs and reflect onto others.

Now your absence can be felt in the room of every family event. I look out the window and miss the sunbeams bouncing off you into the house within. Your impact on us all, we will never forget. Your seeds have been planted in the minds of millions the idea of what a simple sweet representation of life can do. You're engraved in me, and I will always feel safest under that pear tree.

The storm came suddenly and quick. I was away from home, the ground I knew, the place you grew into the magnificent figure we all looked upon. I no longer could lay under the pear tree. My safety net was stripped from me.

I had to be independent, I had to be my own form of nutrients to keep me going throughout the day. I tried to remember the peace and tranquility you brought to me; how could I replicate that comfort? The comfort only your essence could bring, the comfort of home.

How could I not be there to protect you through this storm? You are strong, you are life, you are grounded. Why worry about the pear tree? Wait. What? What do you mean? So suddenly, my pear tree, my humble force of life, a foundation to a family, full of sweet kisses, has fallen.

My sorrow seemed to be unable to escape my lungs, and I formed dewy droplets that fell down my cheeks, home was no longer in sight to take refuge from the rain that was ever-flowing from my eyes. My heart didn't understand. The pear tree is strong and rock-solid, due to the incredible perseverance and strength, and the light in us that tree guarded.

An entire family sat under that pear tree. So many hearts were wrapped under the branches of that pear tree, never knowing a day would come that we'd have to part. The storm went after the roots quietly and lethally . It fell gracefully and swiftly. I've been told I can no longer see my sweet escape out my home window. Yet, my heart and mind, when I close my eyes, are still laying under the pear tree.

I already miss being able to look and lay under my familiar safe haven. Every family gathering, hardship, triumph, the pear tree watched us from the window. Although you can no longer be seen in moments captured on film, I was reminded of how you can still be felt.

In the whistle of the wind that blew your seeds, the sound of the birds that sung your sweet melody, the light you gave me within; your presence is still alive. You left everyone that got a taste of your sweet being with the knowledge of what life on earth can do.

You are still here, grounded and humble. Elegant as you age, still living on through our family, our family tree. My sweet heavenly pear tree, I will miss your sweet kisses. You're engraved in me, and I will always feel safest under the pear tree.

Dedicated to: Judy Ann Hawkins

My grandma, a wife, a mom, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. You will be missed dearly.

From: Your Madi Ann

With all of my love.