Becoming the Shade on a Hot Day

We could become the shade for those struggling under the heat—stress, disappointment, or fear. But in order to provide the best shade, we need to learn how to first recognize the needs of others, then how to ask sincerely and completely without judgment or condescension if they would like our help, and then have the necessary reserves in time and energy to actually provide that shade that can cool the chars that life can give us all.

I was sitting out on my balcony enjoying some breakfast and some time for quiet reflection as the sun was rising. I know a lot of people love sun and hot days, but there’s a reason why I live in the Pacific Northwest rather than living in Miami or Phoenix. I don’t deal too well with a lot of sun or direct sunlight. I guess I’m kind of like my hydrangeas that I had for company this morning.

After sitting out there for a little while, the sun was beginning to be a bit bothersome, and I was debating on whether I should try to embrace it or go inside. But then the sunlight became shaded by something. At first I thought it must have been a cloud, but when I looked up, I saw it was my young apple tree that I have growing in a big pot in the corner. The leaves were filtering out the sunlight, so that I could easily tolerate it for a lot longer.

I was surprised at how grateful I felt to that tree, and I thought about what it took for the tree to reach a point where it could provide shade for me on that very day. I bought the tree as a bare root dormant plant. For those who haven’t planted a bare root tree, let me tell you, they don’t look great. Mine was a single stick with a few scraggly branches and some dangling roots. No leaves whatsoever. It really is quite the act of faith to keep watering a pot with a stick protruding out of soil in such a forlorn way.

But by around early June, the stick started to show some very small, delicate leaves. Soon after leaf clusters gave way to new branches and now, a few months later, that stick has transformed into something very much resembling the classic fruit tree with healthy leaves growing on many thriving branches.

To get from the stick that I received from the nursery to the verdant tree that I enjoyed this morning, the tree had to work rather hard. It had to start manufacturing chlorophyl as soon as the first leaves sprung up to energize other growth. It had to expand its roots so as to capitalize on the water I provided it with. And it had to maintain in trunk healthy and strong enough to withstand some decent wind gusts although the stake and tie I attached it to helps some I’m sure.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could become the shade for those struggling under the heat—stress, disappointment, or fear? We all could benefit from this kind of caring at one time or another in our lives. And to be that shelter would certainly bolster the one enjoying the shade, but also bring rich experiences to the one providing that shade. But in order to provide the best shade, we need to learn how to first recognize the needs of others, then how to ask sincerely and completely without judgment or condescension if they would like our help, and then have the necessary reserves in time and energy to actually provide that shade that can cool the chars that life can give us all.