I picked Abby up early today to take her to the doctor, and she saw the latest installment of tree eradication on Friendly Avenue where the new shopping center is going up.
“Mommy, why are they cutting down the trees?”
“They’re building a new shopping center, so they’re changing the whole landscape. I sure wish they could have left those last trees, though.”
“Mommy, they’re taking our air.”
Turns out they’re studying gases in school — the kind we breathe in and out, and the kind trees absorb. And she may not have gotten it exactly right, but she already understands that the lives of people and plants are interrelated on this earth. Which puts her ahead of a lot of adults…
6 Comments
You’re so right, Susie! It seems that some adults don’t realize that at all!!
Abby is a very bright girl and right on the money. I see both camps in action as developers and citizens argue this very point. Everyone wants upscale name brand shopping, but it comes with a cost. Many cities have adopted policies to replace trees cut down by developers, 2 for every one cut down. They can be planted in other areas such as parks or highways. In the end, “taking our air” is just about as simple as it gets. Hush now adults, let the kid speak.
Smart girl! The voice of the future, I hope!!
There’s still time to run her as a write-in for City Council.
Very smart child, I always hate seeing trees being cut down. Soemthing about it makes me sad, what can I say I guess I’m a big tree hugger.
rock on, Abby. I’m right there with ya, girl