She pauses to sniff the air, her nose twitching with excitement as she explores the world with fresh curiosity every day. She pulls me to a stop, inviting me—without words—to slow down with her.

Look closely, and you’ll notice their constant dance. The subtle sway of branches responding to the gentlest breeze, the slow shifting of leaves searching for sunlight, the imperceptible growth that shapes them over time.

The tree didn’t move or speak, but its quiet support was more comforting than any words I could have heard. It was steady, reliable, and so deeply rooted in the earth that I began to feel rooted, too.