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Learning to Love — Giving Unconditionally
When we purchased our first home, our son was three years old. His inquisitive mind immediately wanted to know who these people were that lived next door. I told him they were our neighbors and we would meet them soon. The word neighbor stuck, and he would refer to them as “neighbor” long after we knew their names. I can still hear his gruff little voice calling out to them “Hi neighbor!” The night before we moved away they came to deliver a going away gift to our son, a copy of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, with a personalized note: “Grow big and wise! Love, ‘Neighbor.’”
The Giving Tree tells the story of unconditional love as a tree gives all: her apples, branches, and trunk to a growing boy who is in search of happiness. This book has held a special place in our hearts not only because of its message but because of the kind, and thoughtful act of this neighbor. As I’ve watched each of our children grow up and leave home, my heart has ached like the tree as the boy venture off into the world.
Recently I read a review of The Giving Tree and felt sad at the negative connotations associated with such a timeless and beautiful story. Instead of seeing the love and joy of giving to help the boy be happy, the writer focused on its polar opposite — the selfishness of the boy.
