The Heart Tree
Placed ever so carefully, in the shade of a palo verde tree, one will find hundreds, if not thousands, heart-shaped rocks of all different sizes. It is on the descent of every hike, on my favorite Phoenix mountain trail, that I stop and pay homage to this little tree skirted with hearts made of stone. And every time, my mind ponders and reflects!
As I stand gazing at this beauty of a tree, I think about the hands that have placed heart rocks there over the years: the strong & steady hands of a father, the weathered & hard working hands of a grandmother, the gentle & loving hands of a mother, the holding hands of a newly engaged couple, the sweet & petite hands of a child…My thoughts turn to my beautiful daughters and the many times over the years we have found a special spot to place our heart finds there while making a wish or saying a prayer. My mind moves to the person or persons who placed the first heart there. I wonder if they thought it would ever grow to such a lovely place of peace for all to enjoy? Perhaps it was a tribute to a loved one that began it all –
I am back in the moment as hikers pass. I find joy pointing out the tree and sharing the art of hunting and gathering a heart-shaped rock to place beneath the loving branches. To some parents, rock hunting is a nice distraction for their child from what seems to be an endless hike! The hikers continue on their way and it brings a smile as I know they will share this sweet sea of hearts just as so many have!
My thoughts turn again to all of those hearts! Those sweet, soft, comfortable, serene & strong stone hearts of all different sizes, proudly gathered. I am reminded that each of those heart rocks made of many minerals, had to roll, tumble & break to become that strong & beautiful shape. I am reminded how easy it is for our human hearts to become hardened from our struggles and hurts, if we allow it. I am reminded just how fragile our hearts are! I am reminded of the power of love!
It is time for me to get on with my day. I place my collected heart rock in a special spot, say a prayer of thanks and make a wish. I thank God for my beautiful daughters, the creation of this mountain, the trees, the cacti, fellow hikers, the rocks, the animals. My wish is, perhaps one day, I will meet the soul or souls who placed that very first heart rock there, beneath the little palo verde tree, on this beautiful desert mountainside, for all of us to love!
With all my heart,
Jana
8 Comments
Lori Finnerty
July 25, 2019Beautiful blog sweet friend- although I have never seen this tree or its surrounding sea of heart rocks, you have shared it location and meaningfulness with me in the past- maybe this Fall we can hike together and make a quiet stop there along our way.
Love you-
L
admin
July 26, 2019Thank you my sweet friend! ♥️Yes, a visit to the heart tree would be wonderful! ♥️ Love you!♥️
Martha McVay
November 26, 2020Jana – It was more than a blessing meeting you at the Heart Tree today and share so much with a stranger, yet not a stranger at all. Your writing is exquisite. I am truly touched to be able to witness how much this space means to you.
And it all started with one heart as my heart was breaking from loss.,.And the healing that has transpired for me and many others around that sacred tree. You have it right there in your words.
Deep gratitude.
Martha
admin
January 4, 2021Martha,
Your words are incredibly touching! ♥️ You are a beautiful soul dear Martha …it was a gift beyond words to meet you and hear your story of how this special place began. ♥️ More writing to come on my gratitude but for now, thank you from all of my heart for creating this special place… your heart shines bright there and is felt by all who travel that path! ♥️
♥️Jana
Cindy Anderson
November 26, 2020How blessed we are on this day.
My dear longtime friend mentioned to me many years ago now about how her move to the desert was filled with joy . I met Martha in Santa Barbara and we became fast fabulous friends . We’ve stayed in touch for all these years through personal life passages thru thick and thin .. Martha has always had the heart of gold and is as good a friend as one can have .. her beauty and appreciation of life is a dance a song one alway remembers and can celebrate life to… I received a thanksgiving note from her today and her visit to HER heart tree….
my thanksgiving will never be the same as this message has added to my list of appreciation and is soaring to the top of my list and filling my heart with soaring love to everyone who reads this beautiful note … it’s simply perfect and Make no mistake …. a God send …
To ALL
☮️♥️
admin
December 15, 2020Cindy ~ thank you kindly for sharing your beautiful heartfelt words! What an incredibly special gift you have in your dear friend … I felt her kindness and gift to the world the moment I said hello to her on the mountain that day! God’s love is truly all around blessing us every day! Blessings to you and thank you for making my visits to Martha’s ♥️ tree even more meaningful! ♥️
Rina McCormick
December 3, 2020I am friends with the woman that started this about 7 – 8 years ago. I contributed a painted rock. I moved from Phoenix in 2008, but when I visit, I go there!
admin
December 15, 2020What a gift you have in your friendship! This tree has blessed so many and continues to! I will look for your contribution when I visit again! ♥️Thank you for sharing! ♥️