We hiked a local trail in our small community yesterday. We have hiked and observed these TALL aspens in all four seasons. This particular aspen was 50+ yards from others of similar size, but this one stood out to me…. against the blue skies and green pines. It STOOD ALONE.
Actually… it doesn’t STAND ALONE…because a little known fact for those who live elsewhere… where aspens don’t grow…is aspens are one of the largest organisms on earth. You can not see it from above ground…. but every aspen tree is a part of a HUGE underground ‘community’. Their root systems are intertwined with one another. If I carelessly dig one aspen up…it might very well damage the other aspens who share the same ‘neighborhood’.
This reminded me of us humans… who share a home, neighborhood or city. We might believe we STAND ALONE..but we really don’t. We are interconnected….even us introverts! We are to protect ourselves and others from this tragic COVID 19…YES…. but we will come out on the other side… better…. if we realize there are people out there who need hope, encouragement, food, a nod of acknowledgement (no hugs), a wave…anything SAFE, which helps us know we STAND TOGETHER… against this common enemy.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER….
- How do you see yourself…. as one who STANDS ALONE? Or STANDS TOGETHER?
- What has been the positives/negatives of the relational style you tend towards?
- Who needs you to STAND TOGETHER with them,….. so they can make it to the other side?
This blog is dedicated to Frank Hopp, a dear brother in Christ who passed away while I was taking this picture. He was a man who STOOD TOGETHER for others, thru the NOT ALONE ministry, in Northern Illinois…R.I.P.
startstrongfinishwell 
What a beautiful testimony first of all to Frank. I pray these words let Catherine and the family know how interconnected our hearts still are despite the miles and months that may separate us over these many years. Beautiful writing and insight as always, Susan. I look forward to each of your posts and sharing them. 🙂 ❤
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Susan, this is really good! I love the analogies … they really make your message hit home. The questions helped me gain insight too. I’m very sorry about the loss of your friend! This was a nice memorial or tribute to him! Thank you! 🤗
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Thank you!
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So. I’m finally catching up on emails. This is beautiful Susan. Your dedication however was very sad, oh Frank. 😓How is Katherine?
On Wed, Apr 8, 2020 at 11:44 AM startstrongfinishwell wrote:
> startstrongfinishwell posted: ” We hiked a local trail in our small > community yesterday. We have hiked and observed these TALL aspens in all > four seasons. This particular aspen was 50+ yards from others of similar > size, but this one stood out to me…. against the blue skies and g” >
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Absolutely tremendous. Thanks for sharing your gift. My root system definitely delivered my soul some good stuff from you today. Michael Dascoli Summit Church 970-577-1158 mike@estesparkchurch.org
On Wed, Apr 8, 2020 at 10:43 AM startstrongfinishwell wrote:
> startstrongfinishwell posted: ” We hiked a local trail in our small > community yesterday. We have hiked and observed these TALL aspens in all > four seasons. This particular aspen was 50+ yards from others of similar > size, but this one stood out to me…. against the blue skies and g” >
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I love your perspective:) Thank you!
On Wed, Apr 8, 2020 at 11:43 AM startstrongfinishwell wrote:
> > > > > > * startstrongfinishwell posted: ” We hiked a local trail in our small > community yesterday. We have hiked and observed these TALL aspens in all > four seasons. This particular aspen was 50+ yards from others of similar > size, but this one stood out to me…. against the blue skies and g” >
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