Sigh. Just look at this lovely photo of my backyard last summer. Lush and green, with all that gorgeous dappled sunlight through the leaves, and the perfect shady spot to sit with a drink and watch the kids play. I really, really love our back yard.
However, when I was at Oprah on Monday (or probably waiting in line for Oprah), this happened:
Yup, the whole tree came tumbling down - smack into our yard. The terrifying thing is that our 2-year-old was playing at the back of the garden with his trucks all afternoon. He got up and walked towards the house for a trip down the slide, and as he landed at the bottom, so did the tree. It scratched his face, it came so close. If he hadn't decided to walk to the slide, or had walked just 5 seconds later... I actually refuse to let my mind go there. The Arbourist who came to assess the tree was convinced that Cam knew it was coming - he said dogs and young kids often have a sense of these things just before they happen and get out of the way. Either way, when I got home from Oprah at 11pm, I sat in his room and watched him sleep for a long, long time.
That is a mighty big tree. I don't know if you noticed in the first image, but it was also on our neighbour's side of the fence. No matter, if it falls in your yard, it's your problem (read: your insurance). Many phone calls, many questions, many site assessments. Eventually, three huge trucks pulled up in front of our house. Anyone with 2 young boys knows that's better than Christmas.
They had a crew of almost eight guys and got through that tree in record time, while I/we watched from inside and tried not to cringe every time they trampled through the peonies.
I caught a glimpse of Cam's trucks under the debris and once again thanked every deity I could name, and made up a few more for good measure.
Our umbrella was a little smushed...
Now my yard looks like this:
It is a completely different place. I feel like I am in a subdivision. My poor shade-loving hostas and astilbe are shrivelling in the sun. But see that little guy in the plaid shirt? As long as he is in the picture, it is a beautiful, perfect view.
