It never ceases to amaze me that learning the name of something suddenly brings awareness of the presence of that thing all around me. It begs the question, why have I never noticed it before I knew its name?

I was visiting my daughter in Harrisonburg, VA and we were at a park with her children. I noticed the lovely shape of a very tall tree and the interesting branching pattern it had. I loved how so many branches broke free from the trunk at close intervals, and how all the branches seemed to be reaching up, raising their arms together. I also noticed how beautifully symmetrical it was, but I didn’t know it’s name. After some research, I learned that it was called a Dawn Redwood. What a lovely name. Redwoods in Virginia! You can learn more about them here. I spent some time just enjoying the tree until grandchildren called, “Grandma, watch me!”

Later, while driving through my home neighborhood, I spotted the same beautiful shape and wondered how I had never noticed it before in the 50+ years I’ve lived here. Then, driving to my piano lesson, there was another, so tall and majestic! And again, driving to my sister’s, I spotted another. They’ve been all around me forever, but I hadn’t been aware. Now, when I see these dawn redwoods, I feel that they are my secret trees. Now they are mine because I know their name. There’s a metaphor here, I’m sure, but I’ll let you ponder that for yourself.

In winter, the silhouette of the dawn redwood is a gently rounded cone that looks soft next to the craggy sycamores, maples, and oaks. Somehow, I find its symmetry soothing on these cold January days.