Dolly’s Tree

DECEMBER 2022
After painting our barn Knickle Red, my mom suggested that behind the barn would be the perfect spot for a Christmas tree, a beacon as you come over the hill in the dark days of winter. There never seemed to be time for tree planting during our summer breaks. Having got the call to come home in May 2010, sitting beside her hospital bed we talked about life, death and regrets, my mom said her only regret was that we had not planted our Christmas tree. Tom and my niece’s husband Arran promised to take care of this task and engaged the help of our Christmas tree provider, Mr Falkenham. Having met my mom and grasping the importance of the undertaking, he suggested planting 3 trees about a meter in height. One tree died the first winter, a second was eaten by a beaver and the third is still standing as a sentry overlooking Kingsburg Pond.

Mom passed away peacefully a few days later surrounded by her children and grandchildren. That year we decorated the tree with 2 sets of lights, annually we add to the growing tree, planted in honour of my mom, Dolly Pond. Grateful that we were able to fulfil her last wish, but in truth she also gave a last gift to our family, one that we are happy to share with a community she loved. — Susan Pond