When I was a child one of my favorite places to play was on my swing set in my backyard.  Whenever I would swing I always felt so free, as if I was flying. In front of my swing set was a GIANT oak tree.  My mom told me that this tree has been in the yard since she had moved into the house when she was in 4th grade.

I would swing on the swings so high that I thought I was going to flip over the bar.  Each time I was swinging I would try to touch the branches that hung over my play area.  Everyday I was determined that I would touch it. As time went on and I got bigger I stopped playing on my playset in fear I’d break it.

My parents have started discussing having to get the tree chopped down.  The tree has started getting saggy and droopy as it keeps leaning more than a normal tree should.  They are afraid of it possibly falling one day and potentially hurting one of us or our neighbors. My leaning tower of oak tree will be gone and there will no longer be giving shade over my very old play set. 

Part of it makes me feel like one the tree is gone, so is my childhood.  I spent so many days on the swings determined to touch the tree branches.  Once it is gone the swing won’t be the same. It’s a reminder we’re growing up.  

Today I went on the swings for the first time in years probably- I didn’t fit.  But I still tried my best to swing on it. Eventually after a minute of trying to swing like I used to, I finally was able to reach the branch I wanted to for many years.  I realized that though the tree won’t be there forever, there will soon be another one to take its place. Maybe that new tree will someday give shade and something to do for my kids while at their grandparents house.