Some were new; some were old. All were personal.
In January 2014, I visited San Francisco and discovered a small, dense neighborhood on a steep hill. It became a fast favorite, Potero Hill. Together, my husband, daughter and I, standing outside on the street, discovered a tree filled with small hand-written notes tied to the branches like ornaments.
Some were new; some were old. All were personal.
We had no idea who started this creation. There was no signage, no credit taken. Just tons of notes filled with things each writer was grateful for, simply expressed. How wonderful.
We immediately found a pen and paper and wrote our joint note. With surprise and pleasure a year later almost to the date, the tree still stands. The notes are more plentiful. Some damaged by rain but the majority, surviving in the ideal Bay Area climate.
This small and modest tree stands as a huge and enduring testament to the vitality of community life, the desire we all have to connect – and to the fun and creativity a city can experience in free yet priceless ways.
Why not consider starting a similar tree in your neighborhood?
Photography Credit: Aminah Ricks
