Memorial Tree, photo by smalltowngirl

The holidays have passed, but I can’t resist blogging about this little memorial tree in Bonne Terre, Missouri’s Bicentennial Park. The tree was planted in memory of a specific man whose name my fingers were too cold to write down on the 10 degree day I wandered this small Missouri town. It seems as though, during the Christmas season, people from Bonne Terre place Christmas ornaments on the tree in memory of loved ones.

I enjoy the sentimentality of small town people. This little tree inspired me toward a moment of very, very cold (it was 10 degrees!) silence for those I’ve loved who are no longer here with me.  Here are a few more photos of the tree and the ornaments on and beneath it:

Audrey and Marcus Maybery, photo by smalltowngirl

Frosty, photo by smalltowngirl

In Loving Memory of Mabel Barker, photo by smalltowngirl

In Memory, photo by smalltowngirl