This past weekend was a time of both celebration and sadness. On Saturday, we held the first big event of Owen’s Centennial celebration. And everything went as it should. It was a time to be proud of where we have been and to look to the future and where we might go. The tree we planted in the Veterans Park honors all our veterans. The oak that we planted in honor of the centennial will be there as a reminder to future generations, hopefully for hundreds of years.
We have sayings about trees. One is that “the true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Or what about, “to plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow. It means we believe in the future, a future when a tiny seedling grows into a tall, mighty tree. It doesn’t happen right away, but it will happen. Each day is new and each day the little tree will grow a little bit more, change a little bit more.”
We planted trees this past weekend and some of us may never sit in their shade, but they will be a lasting legacy for those that follow. In regard to planting a tree believing in tomorrow, our community is like that. It changes over time, sometimes the changes are good, sometimes not so good, but there will be a tomorrow. Just like a tree our community continues to grow. It may not happen all at once and Owen has certainly changed a lot over the last 100 years, but it will happen. Each day is a new day where we all can make a difference.
It was also a time of sadness as Pope Francis was laid to rest. He got to celebrate one last Easter before he died. I think most people will remember him as a good man. His death also begins a process of change for the Catholic Church as they choose their new leader. That process will begin May 7 and it will be interesting to see who is chosen. Will they find another like Pope Francis or go back to a more traditional pope? Will agreement come easily or will it take a number of votes to come up with the person that the cardinals believe is the best choice? I’m not Catholic, but I will be watching the process.
In the end, change happens, we grow and change just like that tiny seedling. Owen has more celebration ahead. Here’s to another 100 years!