“I think that trees have a lot to teach us about what it means to be kin and what it means to honor the work of creation. I’m reminded of the idea behind Peter Wohlleben’s book THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES: that trees have social networks. Their roots are connected to one another, and they support one another through sickness and health. “Their well-being depends on their community, and when the supposedly feeble trees disappear, the others lose as well.” Trees demonstrate community. They understand what it means to care for one another, to care for the whole as they care for themselves. As humans, we are all connected at our root base, and in our struggle to learn what it means to be human to one another and to care for this created world, we are constantly exchanging experiences with one another, good medicine with one another, stories and relationships that are born from the deep well of God.”