Story #5 “ThankYous”

I climb up, I climb down, but only climb down for the opportunity to climb up once more. You give me all that I need, you are my home. You give me so much, and I take it all. You are smarter than I…knowing full well that providing for me means you are providing for yourself. I suppose my “take it all” actions are not fully accurate. My taking is really giving, perhaps you already know that. The small sacrifice you give of yourself which sustains my whole life is what sustains yours. My health, wellbeing, and strength will ultimately be transferred to you. They are your health, your wellbeing, and your strength. You need me the way I need you. I eat at your leaves, giving me the muscles I need to climb your branches ever higher. I make my bed among you, allowing me to recharge for another day. The food I consume from you delivers food straight back to you. Thank you and your welcome! We are a team even when we are performing our selfish tasks. We are working together the way the plants and the air do. The way the bison and the grass do, or the panda and the bamboo do, or the bat and his cave do. I must reflect on what I have done for you today, and forever notice what you have done for me. You live much longer than I, so you know me, you know my whole family. You knew the generations before me and you will know my grandchildren after me. Your time reach is so much greater than mine. You sustained my mother in order to create me, and you have sustained me well enough for me to create a family of my own. I cannot exist without your existence, and you cannot without mine. Thank you for giving me all that I am, and now I shall offer my body as payment.