Collection: JAPANESE MAPLE LEAF

As a child growing up in the Midwest I took solace in a neighbor’s yard under the canopy of a rather anomalous tree with beautiful lacy purplish red leaves. Later, I learned it was a Japanese Maple which explained its bark scars that looked like slanted eyes kindly watching over me. I spent seasons getting to know this tree. Each spring tiny pointed leaves appeared and within days I could almost watch them emerge into lushness. The tree would send out slender stalks of flowers that soon transformed into winged green with tinged red seeds that I would string together and wear around my neck. I relished this intimacy, just me and the ever-changing life of this tree. 

This tree was strikingly beautiful in form and color. I knew others passing by noticed its beauty but I was not seen beneath its graceful limbs. Every fall the purplish leaves turned bright red and almost on cue, drop-off within three days, covering the ground in a carpet of red. The naked tree stood majestic against the snow as I longed for spring to return.

Every spring I planted my seed necklaces in my garden hoping for symbols of elegance, beauty and grace with beginnings of great blessings and peaceful retreat.