A Tree Grows but can it Move?
When Dan and I decided to have Spencers ashes become a part of a tree, it was a decision that honestly gave us joy. In as much as the choices surrounding his death could.
The tree, in our yard, watching it grow, changing with seasons, seeing it every day. It gives me so much comfort. More than any other way of laying him to rest could have.
His tree is loved, cared for, his siblings understand the significance as much as they can at their ages, we light it for holidays, preserve leaves during fall in its full color, it is a joyful thing.
Tree in the beginning
But now, now it is something we see and love and stress over. When we planted the tree we thought we were planting it in the yard of our permanent future home. The last year has shown that is not the case. While we love our home, the location is not the place we want to raise our kids long term. I won’t get into it all, but it is a decision we are at peace with. With one major exception. It means we need to move the tree.
Based on a few reviews with different professionals in the tree etc area. We have about a year until the tree can’t be moved. Until it is too big, too rooted, too at home to safely come with us. Of course, the safest time of year to move the tree is early spring, so that is a big factor in when we would need to sell/ move as well and cuts into the timeline. The price and equipment needed will vary depending on where, how big the tree is at the time, how easy they can get to it (not very given its placement) and other factors, either way, not a cheap endeavor. We will also need to patch the piece of yard for whoever buys this awesome home.
The Tree now
We had been thinking our search would start maybe in 2023, start getting things in order and set up and planned for a Spring ‘24 move. Get into a new house before Kenzie is in 2nd grade. Now we are getting the house in order etc, to go on the market this spring. NOT the ideal timing given the market..
It also throws a lot of different pieces into a puzzle we thought we had more time to work on. Will we be in the financial situation we want by then, will the housing market be good for us, will we sell in the timeframe needed, will we find a forever home in the areas we are thinking. Will the tree be safe. Are we crazy.
So, while our tree grows, we cross our fingers it stays healthy, it stays strong and a million factors line up perfectly to ensure when I look out the window at our next home, it is there with us and we know it is our forever home.
Not taking the tree-is not an option, for those wondering. Don’t even get me started on how much of not an option that is. It has been discussed and I literally feel like my chest tightens just thinking about it. Will I do what needs to be done for my kids to grow up in the best possible place? Yes, but will I do everything possible on this earth to make sure this tree comes too? Yup. Thus the predicament and unusual alignment of everything we are hoping for.
Maybe given my past kicks by karma, we can just win the lottery and it would matter far less if everything lined up, because we could make it. But, reality and wishes…
For now, I’ll just keep looking at my tree and cross the moving it and our lives bridge when we get there. But any good vibes in our direction is greatly appreciated.