My dear Friends
Silver birch trees have been a theme in my life ever since 1999, when we planted a silver birch tree in my landlady's garden in Cambridge, to commemorate the birth of The Little Sisters of Joy. When I moved over the river in 2003, I planted a birch the following year in my garden. .Sadly I had to remove it last year, as it grew too big for its surroundings, but I feel the spirit of the tree is still there.
The Native Canadians revere the silver birch and used the bark to make their canoes.And the Canadians sing of 'the land of the beaver and the birch.' Strangely enough, there is an avenue of birches alongside the Criminology Faculty in the University of Toronto, and the the University here in Cambridge, England have planted an avenue of birches beside the Criminology Faculty here.
They stand near the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern studies, where I did my degree in Hebrew (taking some classes in Arabic as well) and from time to time I go and sit there, taking shelter in the shade of these beautiful trees. It is easy to dream of Peace here and for me these mysterious trees, also revered in Russia, where my grandparents came from, are a symbol of Peace.
'I will hear what God has to say-a voice that speaks of Peace. Peace for His people and His friends and for those who turn to Him in their hearts.' Psalm 85
All we can do at the moment, with the terrible events going on in the world, is stand back and pray, or think of Peace.
Shalom, Salaam
Gila
Silver birch trees have been a theme in my life ever since 1999, when we planted a silver birch tree in my landlady's garden in Cambridge, to commemorate the birth of The Little Sisters of Joy. When I moved over the river in 2003, I planted a birch the following year in my garden. .Sadly I had to remove it last year, as it grew too big for its surroundings, but I feel the spirit of the tree is still there.
The Native Canadians revere the silver birch and used the bark to make their canoes.And the Canadians sing of 'the land of the beaver and the birch.' Strangely enough, there is an avenue of birches alongside the Criminology Faculty in the University of Toronto, and the the University here in Cambridge, England have planted an avenue of birches beside the Criminology Faculty here.
They stand near the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern studies, where I did my degree in Hebrew (taking some classes in Arabic as well) and from time to time I go and sit there, taking shelter in the shade of these beautiful trees. It is easy to dream of Peace here and for me these mysterious trees, also revered in Russia, where my grandparents came from, are a symbol of Peace.
'I will hear what God has to say-a voice that speaks of Peace. Peace for His people and His friends and for those who turn to Him in their hearts.' Psalm 85
All we can do at the moment, with the terrible events going on in the world, is stand back and pray, or think of Peace.
Shalom, Salaam
Gila
