Since living in Cassville, each morning, I have looked out my kitchen window and have been greeted by a gorgeous sprawling tree growing up from the center of my backyard.

I am talking about a huge tree with over 50 years of livelihood and spanning up into the sky over 60 feet tall. The branches extending widely across the entire yard have covered it with its circumference of a steady and strong canopy and angular arms.

The tree has provided ample entertainment. On view on any given day has been a range of wildlife. Birds of all types, singing and chirping and nest building, have perched in its branches. A winter day could typically bring a flurry of red cardinals to alight upon its branches, covering them in red feathered polka dots as they sought shelter and hopes of finding some birdseed from the nearby feeder.

Generally, in summer on view have been a posse of busy scampering squirrels that are entertaining to watch as they maneuver the branches and stop occasionally to chatter and cluck at me. The expansive branches of my favorite tree and arboreal companion have regulated the temperature of my home, providing needed cool and shade in summer.

This tree gave breath to a real-life energy while developing its own unique history, strength and beauty, which defined the ambience of a forest of green comfort blanketing my home.

No one will soon forget the freak windstorm that struck Cassville on May 26, 2024. It was determined to be a “microburst,” which assaulted parts of Cassville with wind gusts of 70-80 mph. This powerful storm uprooted numerous trees, hitting homes, businesses, and vehicles with fallen trees.

Apparently, the north edge of a tornado that struck in Rogers that morning caught Cassville in the crosshairs. My home was directly in line with the path of several other nearby properties who found themselves in the bullseye of wind damage, including the tragedy of multiple scores of uprooted trees.

Somehow by God’s mercy, my property, home and trees were spared from being uprooted and from extensive damage.

My monumental backyard companion suffered some serious losses to its branches due to ice storm damage over the years. Cassville incurred traumatic weather during the winter ice storm of January 12, 2007, and again two years later on January 26, 2009. These ice storms shaved off branches mostly on only one side of my favorite tree, rendering it to become increasingly lopsided.

New growth on the producing heavier side of the tree over time promoted a leaning trend, angling the bulk of foliage and carriage of the massive trunk toward my home. The tree succumbed to the May 2024 windstorm with some additional losses of limbs on the same more barren side. It assumed a progressively more asymmetrical shape. My friend had developed a glaringly obvious imbalance problem.

The writing was on the wall. In order to protect my home from the potential hazard of future storm damage and offset the threat that my favorite tree or its mighty branches could eventually fall into or through my home, the gut-wrenching decision was made to have it cut it down.

I never thought that I could be so emotional about a tree. I didn’t want to risk my more significant property or safety for sentimental or even aesthetic purposes, but I am feeling extremely sad about it.

I loved that tree. It never ceased to entertain or shelter me or carry me through the seasons with consistent loyalty. Having it cut down felt like murder or like one does when having to put an elderly pet to sleep.

While witnessing the armory of chain saws and removal equipment, I truly cried — sorrowful tears of loss. Now. there is a big empty space where it used to be.

Though I grieve the loss of that faithful old tree, I carry forward the lessons it gave me: the strength in its roots, shelter in its branches and joy in its presence. Its absence reminds me that endings can open up space for new beginnings. One consequence of the tree’s removal is that now when I stand in the backyard, I can capture a full view of the sky above me.

Isaiah 61:3 tells us that we “will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” That promise is about us. Each of us can live as a mighty oak tree. We can be rooted in faith, offer shade to the weary, and stand firm in the Lord as a quiet consistent witness to God’s goodness.

As we face losses in life, may we also find renewal, choosing to see beauty, gratitude, and hope in the days ahead.

Janet Mills is the director of Cassville Pantry, located at 800 W. 10th St. in Cassville. She may be reached at cassvillepantry@ gmail.com or 417-846-7871.