Growth does not occur overnight.

It occurs year after year.

In cyclic seasonal patterns.

External climatic stressors.

Help to shape.

And strengthen.

And build durability.

Each new ring tells a story.

Of disastrous floods.

Devastating wildfires.

And sudden lightning strikes.

Serving as a living ledger.

Of the powerful forces.

And life altering fluctuations.

A living embodiment of resiliency.

Dancing with my shadows in the morning light,

Mimicking my every move.

She keeps me company,

And tells me she approves.

Until the light goes out,

And she casts herself a shadow.

Hiding in the darkness,

In the mountains in Colorado.

We all have our scars,

Some hidden and invisible to the eyes,

Others visible and hard to hide.

With each scar, 

We shield ourselves,

From the destruction,

The disturbances,

Trying to avoid the shame. 

But why do we hide?

Why not shine?

Like the ponderosa pine.

In the wake of a fire,

They grow back stronger.

Producing new sprouts,

Bringing new life,

Amid a path of destruction.

We should not be ashamed of our scars.

They show the real us. 

Let them serve as a reminder,

Of why we keep growing,

And fighting back stronger.