September 30th, 2006 A.D.

She once was a mighty maple tree, flowing with sap and full of leaves
Year after year, she faced severe storms, or the gentle summer breeze
In the autumn, her leaves changed to glorious colors, soothing  
People from miles around would stop by just to see her beauty

One day a car pulled up with many people just to see the maple again
This time they brought their dying mother, who was their best friend
She noticed the tree was not looking the way it normally should
"There aren't that many leaves..." she said, "...and look at that wood."

Mother forced herself to get out of the car--she was focused that day--
She hobbled over to the maple tree, and put her hand on it, as if to say
"I understand exactly how you must feel, facing the coldness of death
  Winter comes for all of us, but there's hope, there's nothing to dread...

"After winter, spring will come:  it's the resurrection to see The Light
  We will live forever with our Jesus and we will see the Tree of Life."
The last leaf fell from the once mighty maple, peacefully to the ground
Mother died later that day with a leaf in her hair and hope in her heart

Mother once was like a mighty maple tree, flowing with vigor and full of leaves
Year after year, she faced severe storms, or the gentle summer breeze
That autumn, her countenance changed to glorious colors, soothing  
People from miles around would stop by just to see her beauty

Thank You Jesus.

--bro. tim pickl
September 30th, 2006 A.D.

--for my friends, Linda and Jeff

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