The memories of 2020 will never leave us. We’ve shouldered unbearable loss of family members and so many of our trees, leaving us with a lot to reflect upon as we are greeted by 2021. As we continue to rebuild homes, put on new roofs and clean up debris, the reality of loss is with us every day. But we are resilient and are rebuilding homes, putting on new roofs, cleaning up and planting new trees.
That is really the point. We must keep going, improving our neighborhoods and working together on solutions. That is the only way forward. We are driven by a vision for a better tomorrow, and in my case, a greener tomorrow so that our grandkids and their kids have access to nature, clean air and water, shade and outdoor spaces to play and gather.
Putting a year like 2020 behind us is a challenge. But as Mother Teresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” At Trees Forever, we begin by working together on a visionary plan to replant, and we keep planting as we plan.
Shannon Ramsay is founding president of Trees Forever.