This makes me think about the ways in which the rest of the ecosystem responds to impermanence. Although we would have it be otherwise, we continue to try to wrestle it to our will, to live with rather than own… it continues to provide us with examples of more sustainable ways of living. The beautiful silver maple has been in our yard longer than we have lived in this house. Over 40 years we watch it move gracefully with the changes in the rest of the system. I’m thinking about how it cycles through seasons. I’m thinking about it’s relationship to other living beings that frequent this little habitat who, if undisturbed by the humans in this household, have a better chance of living with equanimity as they recognize the beauty in their impermanence. I think that’s what I’m thinking. But, I have to think about it a little more.