17 Comments

I had a similar situation with trees a couple years ago. It sucks, and the grief cannot be underestimated. ❤️

Expand full comment

We do grieve when we lose nature. It’s a part of us. For me it was the first time last winter a humpback whale was found dead on our local beach. I cried. I’m 65 y.o. and have lived at the shore my entire life. This was a first but sadly not the last as sonar mapping was underway to prepare the ocean floor for wind turbines. None of which the citizens of this state were allowed to vote on. The fight continues as do marine animal deaths. It’s heartbreaking that the greed for money is above the reverence and respect for nature and the home of many species other than humans. Sorry for the lengthy comment but this hits home and heart. In other words, I understand your anguish.

Expand full comment
author
Mar 5Author

Ugh Mary, I’m sorry for your losses and that we can relate to this kind of grief. We are quite the egotistical species, aren’t we? Only thinking about ourselves and even then, maybe only this for this generation and not the ones to come. Thank you for sharing ❤️

Expand full comment

Sara, this is so beautifully written. I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful trees and wonderful corner! The photos made my heart hurt. Thank you for sharing this.

Expand full comment
author
Mar 5Author

Thank you for reading — and being sad with us, Katie ❤️

Expand full comment

Oh, Sara, I am grieving along with you and your family. Also, enraged at the callous and ignorant choices of so-called community leaders. I’m so sorry your activism went (mostly) unheeded, and that your beloved trees were lost. If this isn’t the definition of solastalgia, I don’t know what is.

I love the kind wisdom you brought in from the Resilience podcast. I have a slightly different take on hope, best summed up by Krista Tippett:

“[H]ope for me is distinct from idealism or optimism. It has nothing to do with wishful thinking. It is a muscle, a practice, a choice: to live open-eyed and wholehearted in the world as it is and not as we wish it to be.”

Thanks for all you do for the land and for future generations. 🥰

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for such kindness and solidarity, Julie. And ohhh I love Krista’s reframing of hope - thank you for pointing me to it!

Expand full comment

Sara, I’m so sorry for your loss. This is a gorgeous and hopeful post. Is there any way to make your audio a little louder? It is hard for me to hear at top volume and is much quieter than other audio posts.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for being sad with us, Mary.

Ugh about the recording - I honestly think it was just my voice this week but I’ll double check on settings before recording next time. Thank you for heads up!

Expand full comment

Losing trees is really sad, and the rage you describe is real.

I could still listen. I don’t think it’s just that you were sick as I noticed it last week too. For some reason, you can’t make it loud.

Feel better!

Expand full comment

I am so sorry to hear all this. It is so demoralizing to work hard and use your voice and have people with power move forward destructively anyway. But we lament, we grieve, we press on. 💜 Sending love.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you and well said ❤️

Expand full comment
Feb 24Liked by Sara

I feel your loss, two years ago I had to have a few trees cut down on my property, it broke my heart. Last year when yet two other trees needed to go the company cut down the wrong tree, I was devastated. I believe cities and counties should have laws stating no new building until all the empty newly built houses are occupied.

Expand full comment
author

I’m sorry for your (really our?) losses, Deb. Cities could do so much to be more thoughtful of all beings in their development planning.

Expand full comment
Feb 24Liked by Sara

I am so sorry for this loss at Funky Farms sis. Beautiful lament. Continue to do your best, to share your food from your beautiful garden and chickens , become a home for others, especially animals , and continue to bring people and places together. This will help ease the pain that you experienced this week.

Expand full comment
Feb 24Liked by Sara

I am so sorry for all of it. How heartbreaking and maddening!

Expand full comment
Feb 23Liked by Sara

Love the grief ritual 💚💚

Expand full comment