My parents moved to Texas in 1976 – thankfully they brought me with them, along with my two older brothers. They found our newly built (but not completed) home just as decisions needed to be made on wallpaper and colors.  We left California and moved into a “mansion” (or so it felt like to us) – even the subdivision was called “The Castlery”!

I have no memory of being impressed with the landscaping or even if there was a tree (or two) originally in the front yard.  After all, I was a 6th grader and there was a big hole being dug for a swimming pool and a street of new homes being built to roam through and check out.  The only “landscaping” I noticed was the day some truck showed up and used a hose to spray green stuff/gunk all over the dirt – which eventually became grass!

But somewhere along the way, I noticed that we had TWO trees growing in the front yard.  One grew tall and straight and provided a comfortable shady area that I remember sitting under while having an important “DTR” conversation with Tom when we were dating.  Unfortunately, that tree also had amazing roots that caused crazy damage after a few decades of growth, and it had to be taken down – much to the upset of my dad.

The other tree…”The Tree”…had a strong core/trunk but branched off in unique/awkward looking ways.  It took over most of the right side of the house and was often trimmed and shaped by my brothers, my dad and later, my husband.

Back in 1998 we took a random photo of the grandkids in “The Tree”.  It was the wrap-up of “Cousin Camp” that my parents hosted each summer.  At that point the tree was a few decades old and the kids ranged from 3 to 11 years old (and one of the grandkids wouldn’t arrive for another two years).  I have no idea who suggested this photo op (surely one of the dads) but the kids were hoisted up and found a safe spot to prop themselves on while the moms started snapping pictures.  This picture hung in the dining room for many, many years – ironically, just a few feet away from where the actual tree stood outside!

Years passed and then at Christmas in 2012 we suggested a “re-make”! Our kids are great at doing what they are told (haha) but I want to say this time it was actually their idea? Even then, I remember comments being made about “this was easier when we were younger!”, etc. The tree was also a lot taller since that first photo!

In May of this year my brothers and I talked to my mom about moving from her/our home of 47 years into a much smaller (with less responsibility) Senior Living Apartment.  She was hesitant for exactly ONE day…but then she was “on board” and decided to trust our judgement. Just last week I heard her say “I am so happy and love my new place!” (more on that later).  Still- the move and selling the house was hard, a lot of work, and often emotional for us all. 

During this process, we decided that the last family gathering at my mom’s home (before it went up for sale) would be on Memorial Day. Historically we always gathered over Memorial Day as it was also known as “Opening Weekend of the Pool at Grandpa Jim’s”.  As the time grew near, my sister-in-law (Holly) commented on how cool it would be to take another picture in “The Tree” before we left it.

So on May 28, 2023 we gathered to swim, cook out, celebrate and also lament over moving from this house that was certainly a home to us all. I’m so thankful that ALL the kids made it a priority to be there and, once again, embraced the idea of a tree picture.

This time we REALLY heard the “this used to be easier” comments! After all, their ages now range from 23 to 36 years old!

And, of course, we had to pop their “Gramma Judy” in with them…

“The Tree” is just one of the many things that made leaving Evans Dr. difficult. We have lived and gathered in this home…under the shade of this tree…for 47 years. We have had many, many wonderful times there, as well as some hard times of grieving. Bottom line – we have “lived” here and will miss it.

As we wrapped up the day, we took one more picture all together out front…and “The Tree” made sure to be in the shot with us (branches on the far right)!

#thisIsUs #TheLynnFamily

My dad would be really, really proud…of us/his family and the tree that’s been standing firm for almost 50 years! I pray that the next owners of this home and keeper of “The Tree” will appreciate them as much as we have!