Princess Pine

Princess Pine. bot: Lycopodium Obscurum. Princess Pine is a member of a plant family called club mosses. Not a "tree" by any means, but a moss that resembles one. It can be found on the floor of moist, nutrient-rich hardwood forests. It is also the nickname we gave our daughter when she was very young.

Why, you ask, would anyone nickname their daughter after a moss? It represents everything we truly love. It's is delicate and beautiful. It is found hidden at the bottom of trees, deep in the forest. If you weren't looking closely for it, you would easily trample it. The woods... a place where our family would rather be. Hmmm.... sit at the soccer fields today? Or hike in the woods? Our answer would, of course, be - take a hike. However, it is also fun to watch your five year old strap on his "magic" goalie gloves and stop a charging herd of other 5 year olds and 1 soccer ball.

The forest (or woods, we use them interchangeably) mean so much. It's peaceful. A place to catch a glimpse of all things wild. I always feel much closer to God deep in the woods than sitting on some man-made bench in a man-made church. It makes you appreciate everything in this world. Just like the incredible miracle of the creation of children, the creation of trees is amazing as well. One tiny little acorn, should it survive squirrels, bears and such, manages to grow into a giant, towering tree. That will eventually harbor those that tried to eat it in seed form.

Why, you ask, would anyone nickname their daughter after a moss? My daughter is beautiful. Delicate. Uncommon. When we call her Princess Pine she just smiles. As if she knows everything wonderful that is behind that name.