FAMILIES ARE TREES – Josiah Diaso
I was travelling recently to Ondo state with my colleagues for a function and I was enthralled as always with the beautiful greenery that lace our landscape in the southern regions of Nigeria. I was once again reminded of the beauty of nature and the resplendence of trees. Trees are the very essence of our existence, they are the very reason why we can thrive as humans.
By their very nature, trees are support systems…
I have had course to visit the Northern part of Nigeria for different reasons, and the striking contrast of their environment from that in the southern part of the country is evident. The rather barren landscape and relative unavailability of greenery makes for a climate that pushes the inhabitants of those regions to the brink of survival in most instances. The “mere” absence of trees in any environment is almost a death sentence to all life forms in such environment. Trees are indeed a support system. For those of us who grew up in the lush vegetation of the Delta and we played as children do by climbing trees, hence having a close relationship with trees, we understand and value the support system that trees provide. Trees provide food, shelter, fresh air, and overall support.
By their very nature and essence, a family is like a tree that should provide the necessary backing for members thereof. The availability of Food, shelter, support (emotional and physical) and friendship are what actually defines families besides blood relationship. Some may even argue that blood relationship is the least consideration in the practical definition of what a family is. When the only relationship that exists in a group is blood, family is lacking. Think again of trees and super-impose it with the concept of family and you would appreciate more what should avail.
Families are building blocks of society. A decadent society is a reflection of the quality and functionality of families that exist in that society. It is time to re-direct our focus on the family unit and provide the right kind of leadership needed to make it play its function. As parents, the onus lies on us; we are responsible for how society turns out. Children must be taught at an early age correct values, they must be taught to value work and partnership. They must be taught honesty and openness. They must be taught entrepreneurship and savings. They must be conditioned to respect people and things. They must be provided for, they must be loved and cared for. They must be listened to and heard. They must feel valued and important. More importantly they must see you practice what you preach.
Nothing is more relieving than relaxing under the shade of a tree on a hot sunny day after walking long hours in the sun; it feels almost like a hug from nature as the cool breeze caresses and sooths the skin. Welcome home it seems to say, like the voice of a parent when a child returns from a long and arduous journey.
Families are trees…