Solstice Planting

Tony and I have written many times about our friends, Michael and Libbi Jaillet. We met them on twitter, and they were our closest friends in our ALS war. Libbi and I compared notes about everything, and I only hope I was as helpful to her as she was to me. The started the charity MJ's Army to help other ALS patients in the Austin area and to support ALS research... and they do great work.

Michael died one year and one week ago, after living with ALS for over three years. I sent Libbi some wine, but wished I could be there to give her a big hug. She started the process of recovery, while I battled on. Then Tony died ten months and one day ago. Libbi told me she would be sending us a tree.

It is a very appropriate gift for us, as I love to garden and we all love to be outside. And so very kind of her. First, I had to pick a tree, and there are a lot of trees out there, so it wasn't easy! I finally decided on an oak. There are lots of reasons why, and the symbolism is easy. I always remember Tony telling me stories of the famous English bowmen who destroyed the French armies with their longbows of English oak... and the origin of the two fingered salute!

Since Libbi lives in Texas, I am not sure how she managed it, but today a beautiful white oak was planted in our yard. I know she was hoping it would have happened earlier this year, but I think today was the perfect day. A day when things finally came together, and the winter solstice. The darkest day of the year seems the perfect one to plant a symbol of strength, love, and remembrance. I hope it is happy in its new home, and I can't wait to watch it grow.

Thank you so much, my friend!

Cora in her new MJ's Army shirt!