The Giving Tree: A Thanksgiving Reflection on Giving and Gratitude.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and as we give and receive thanks for the blessings in our lives, it's an opportunity to remember both the value of giving and the act of gratitude here on earth. A particular story that only exemplifies these sentiments superbly is Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree." In this perennial favorite, a boy receives from a tree throughout his life with unconditional generosity — offering the boy shade, fruit and comfort, only asking for companionship in return.

We gardeners and lovers of nature can glean some valuable insights from this story this Thanksgiving. The generous giving of the treThen reflecf on how this is analogous to the earth itself, which in abundance of these resources sustainsus and nourish us. Reading “The Giving Tree” with friends and family during Thanksgiving can lead to conversations about the importance of giving back to the earth and appreciating the many gifts it has to offer.

In addition to its message of giving and gratitude, “The Giving Tree” also emphasizes the relationship between humans and nature. As the boy matures and his relationship with the tree changes, we’re reminded of the deep mark that nature can leave in our lives, and of the responsibility we bear to nurture the earth in kind.

This Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, spend some time reading “The Giving Tree” and thinking about all the ways that nature has added to your life. And if a more concrete form of giving appeals to you, plant a tree in your yard, or support a local tree-planting effort. As the tree in the story reminds us, the greatest gift we can bestow is the gift that keeps giving.