Subject: Fw: Trouble Tree
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just
finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an
hour of work, his electric saw quit and now his ancient pickup
truck
refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.
On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked
toward
the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the
tips
of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent
an
amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and
he
hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward, he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my
curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen
him
do earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help
having
troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong
in
the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the
tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them
up
again. Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning
to
pick em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up
the
night before".
