I seek out Grandpa Willow standing near the edge of Sister Creek. With his massive trunk and gnarled branches, he is more stump now than towering tree. Yet dozens of lush green branches sprout from his broken limbs and torso.

"Greetings, Grandpa Willow," I say. "Would you please share your wisdom with me today?". . . .

Seeing my deference, Grandpa Willow begins to share his wisdom with me. He speaks slowly, in short, declarative sentences, the language of the treaty wise.

"Every knot's a story," he says. "Every gnarl's a blessing. One day at a time. Perseverance comes mostly from within. Stay close to your water supply. Be generous with your branches and your shade. Bend, bend, bend. Broken branches are a matter of course: don't fret their loss. New ones are sure to sprout in their place. Look at all of mine!" and he shakes his new growth in the breeze.

I thank Grandpa Willow for his bountiful wisdom.

Melannie Svoboda, Everyday Epiphanies