Dreams that grow into forests

This blog post is a little different for UGM. It’s not really about the homeless. Not directly anyway. It’s not about meals or shelter or recovery. It’s not about anything we did. Actually, UGM is a bit player in this story.

This blog post is here because it’s about hope and dreams and how one person can make a difference.

First, there was Susie. Susie loved trees, nature, biking and walking. She wanted to create livable communities and spent her early adult life working for non-profits that advocated for bicyclists and pedestrians. Susie’s life ended way too soon when she was hit by a bus as she was legally crossing the street.

Susie’s mom, Nancy MacKerrow, started Susie’s Forest as a “living, growing, legacy” to her daughter. Nancy plants trees - mostly in urban areas - as a way of spreading beauty, but also as a way of connecting people. Every tree has a story.

"Whether it is to celebrate the birth of a newborn or a special anniversary, as a memorial for someone else taken too soon, or to celebrate a reading program at a local library or school, each Susie tree is deeply rooted in personal connection." (Susie's Forest website)

And that brings us to Holly, age 9.

Holly's dad is a landscape architect and member of the Spokane Park Board. When she was 7, Holly asked her dad if she could help him design a park. The result was a heart-shaped tree park that, after two years of delays and persistent reminders on Holly's part, came to fruition this last Saturday. This article in The Spokesman Review does a great job of showcasing Holly's perseverance.

And, finally, we come to the UGM connection. Of the 10 trees planted in the shape of a heart at Friendship Park, one is for Susie; one is for Holly; and the other eight are dedicated to organizations helping children. One tree is specifically dedicated to the children of Anna Ogden Hall.

Several of our children attended the event on Saturday. They hung messages on the tree. As the messages fall to the ground and disintegrate, Nancy said, they would become part of the tree's story. Most of all, Nancy wanted the children to hear this message: It's good to have dreams, and you can work hard to make those dreams come true.

That's a message that resonates.

Nancy had a dream about a forest of trees in honor of her daughter Susie.

Holly had a dream about a heart-shaped park.

The women and children of Anna Ogden Hall have dreams of new futures and healthy, happy lives.

The Union Gospel Mission has a dream of lives and families restored, people who were once in despair returning to society as healthy, whole contributing members.

What are your dreams?

We'd love to hear about them.

- Barbara Comito, UGM staff writer