Lahaina’s treasured and historic banyan tree that has been a much beloved landmark for 150 years, standing 60-feet tall and spanning 1.94 acres in length has been in shock and a “coma” according to the volunteer arborists who are trying to save her after the devastating fire of August 8th on Maui that decimated Lahaina. She is the largest banyan tree in the U.S. and has been known as the “heartbeat of Lahaina Town.”
Immediately following the fire a team of experts came together offering her hundreds of gallons of water and a compost of organic matter to provide nutrients in hopes of stimulating growth in the tree’s roots. She is in shock and in a “coma” so they are anxiously awaiting a “blink" It could look like green buds popping out on her branches or sap traveling and changes in her trunk as indicated by sensors that have been installed.
The arborists don’t assume to know precisely all of her needs and are intently listening by observing what she is showing them on the outside as to what is happening within.
At least a dozen new shoots are currently being seen and this is a welcome sight and expression of hope urging them to continue to do what they have been until she indicates otherwise.
As I read about our beloved banyan tree, I cannot help but sense deeply the parallel path of her healing and how closely aligned it is to those of us who have suffered loss.
Finding oneself in the spiritual ICU for our shattered and broken hearts remaining as long as needed. Hooked onto life support and IV’s giving what we cannot yet to ourselves. Family members and friends keeping vigil and longing for a blink to signal proof of life. Residing in a coma like state within the darkness of a womb where nothing is fully formed nor does it even feel sustainable standing on its own. It would be premature to try to force one out of this needed cocooning state until it is time to emerge. No Pitocin, no forceps delivery can pull us out into the brightness of this new and foreign world which has no recognizable landmarks.
We are invited and called to be like those volunteer arborists tending to the banyan tree. Water, feed, gently pack extra rich, soft soil around our tender parts and speak to us even if we cannot respond yet. Wait patiently for those tiny glimmers of life to emerge once again. When changes are noticed, attend to them ever so lovingly as we’re not out of the ICU quite yet, but in long term care.
This is going to require a lifetime of walking beside us into the unknown. We will be forever growing new root systems in the depths, taking as much time as needed and perhaps one day we might even provide some cooling shade and respite for you to rest under? Such is the miracle of healing.
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