We all need a tree, sent from a friend

[Guest guest]

We all need a tree

> I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he

had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him

lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton

truck refused to start.

> While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he

invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door,

he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches

with both hands.

> When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation.. His

face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and

gave his wife a kiss.

> Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my

curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him

do earlier.

> " Oh, that's my trouble tree, " he replied " I know I can't help

having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles

don't belong in the house with my wife and the children... So I just

hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to

take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again. " " Funny

thing is, " he smiled, " when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up,

there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night

before. "