Two Trees
Years ago, a small pecan tree appeared in my parent's front yard. I'm not sure if they planted it or if it just came up on its own since there were others nearby.
Mom didn't like it. She thought it would block the view from the front porch. Dad thought it would grow into a nice shade tree. They argued a little about it before I went and talked to Mom. I told her that if it were me, I would let it grow for a while and see how it looked. That they could always cut the tree later, but once it was gone, it couldn't be put back. The pecan tree still stands and has turned into a nice shade tree.
When they bought a piece of property in Arkansas, there were many trees that needed to be cleared for what was to be their new cabin location. Near the center of the property, stood a large bradford pear tree and Mom loved it. She said she had always wanted one. Dad started marking trees to be cut and of course the pear was one of them. I told him that Mom really wanted to save that one and he claimed that it would be in the way of where he wanted to build. He was determined to take it out. I told Dad that of all the trees on the property, that was the only one Mom asked him to keep. That it would be a while before they planned to build and they could always cut it down later, but once it was gone, it couldn't be put back. He smiled and told me that I was right, he guessed it could stay, and he knew I was just trying to keep him out of trouble. He didn't get a chance to build the new cabin but the pear tree still stands.
Life is short. Choose your arguments wisely. Some things are worth sacrificing for the other person.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:4
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