I would like to thank you for joining me today.
I'm going to share with you both some spiritual wisdom from the sacred Ironwood tree,
And then I'm going to share an inspirational poem with you about her.
The particular Ironwood tree I'm talking with you today about is grandmother Ironwood.
I met her just a couple of years ago and have been able to visit with her several times.
She lives here in Tucson,
Arizona,
Where I am currently living.
She lives in the Ironwood Park on the west side of Tucson near the Saguaro National Monument.
These are the things that she would like to share with you,
The wisdom that she carries inside of herself.
She is known as the Ironwood tree because of the strength of her wood,
The strength of the trunk of her tree.
It can be strong as steel,
And yet from the outside she is unassuming.
Her wisdom in this is to be strong while still remaining humble.
Her particular species of tree is resistant to many diseases and to attacks by insects,
Unlike some of the other trees that are around her.
Her wisdom in this is that she teaches the ability to be resilient,
Even in times of adversity.
She's also known as the Hornbeam tree,
And her wood was often in the past used to make gears and pegs for windmills and water wheels.
Her wisdom is that her teachings are like that of Don Quixote,
To chase windmills,
To chase our dreams,
The ones in our lives that come from a place of inspiration of the path that we are on.
Another one of her teachings is this,
Her wood was often used in the past to make nails because her wood was so strong that it was stronger than steel.
Her wisdom,
She teaches us to be as tough as nails when it comes to following our dreams,
That it takes hard,
Diligent work to pursue these.
When we encounter obstacles,
She can help us by allowing us to remember to be strong during these times.
Another one of her spiritual traits is that she has beautiful soft pink blossoms.
When she blooms,
They are light and airy.
Her wisdom is this,
That we can remain open-hearted and kind,
Even when we are being tough and strong at the same time.
Ultimately,
Her wisdom teaches that being strong of character can open doors,
Not by knocking them down through force,
But through opening them with persistence,
Resilience,
Receptivity,
And humility.
The following is an inspirational poem I wrote about grandmother Ironwood.
She is 900 years old,
And this is her poem.
My grandmother,
She is the ironwood tree.
My grandmother's not so tall,
Not quite unlike me.
I greet her with my smile and thank her for her days,
Living on this earth,
Serving as a teacher.
900 years,
She says.
She is not majestic in height,
But she is strong of will,
Stronger than the iron forged by Hephaestus,
Son of Zeus and Hera.
Yet she is humble like Buddha.
She sits on patient path,
Waiting with an open heart for those to approach her and have a nice chat.
My grandmother's branches,
The arms of a windmill,
The gears of a water wheel,
Remind me like Don Quixote to never stop chasing my dreams.
She teaches me how hard work and persistence are needed in each endeavor and through belief,
Inner strength and optimism,
A dream can be reached,
Faith restored and weariness healed.
My grandmother,
The ironwood tree I sometimes visit,
Laughs when I call her old.
Who are you calling old,
Child?
She justs with me.
Oh grandmother,
I just meant you were older than me.
I ask her for advice of living in this harried life.
Her advice,
Through the wisdom of her bark,
To be as tough as nails,
She says,
And yet see my blossoms,
How dainty pink and light.
I nod yes that I agree.
To keep a gentle,
Humble,
Open heart will lead you to the prize you seek.
But let the prize reveal itself,
She says,
For it may be different than you think.
Thank you,
Grandmother,
I say to her,
Bowing my head with humility.
I'm resistant to many diseases,
Unlike some of the other trees I live with,
But I don't resist change as it shows up for me.
I am strong in my core,
Humble in my voice,
Sweet in my blossoms,
With an easy and gentle heart.
This you can learn from me.
And I will teach you how to keep a strong body,
Strong mind,
Strong will,
And keep a loving,
Kind,
And peaceful heart.
My grandmother,
The amazing Ironwood tree,
She is as strong as nails,
As patient as Buddha,
And as loving as all divinity.
I am grateful that you have joined me here today,
To listen to the wisdom that grandmother Ironwood shares with you.
And I share this blessing with you as we close.
May your voice be strong,
Yet kind.
May your actions come from a place of openness and humility.
May you be as tough as nails when pursuing the dreams within yourself.
And may your life speak of adventure,
Whether big or small,
Even in ordinary moments.
May your day be blessed.
Namaste.
