"I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree...." - Joyce Kilmer Under the power lines that run along the narrow strip of grassy land between Imperial Hwy. and Imperial Ave., along LAX's southern border, is a place called Memory Row. Turn off Imperial Hwy. on Main Street, and on the west side of Main, there it begins. There are hundreds of trees displaying dedication plaques on the ground beneath their branches. In addition to memorials, they commemorate births & weddings & other milestones, are even used as thank-yous. Trees are planted three times a year, and are then adopted. Marcie the Marvelous Tree (see photo) was the first, planted in 1987. The Tree Musketeers oversee the process of mobilizing volunteers to handle the adoptions and dedication ceremonies. I saw many plaques that have been there 20 years. There were too many to read them all, so I read at random, as I wandered among the trees last Sunday afternoon. One dedication was "from the great, great, grandkids". Another said this: "She showed us how to love, forgive and be generous, and at the end how to endure life's pain with a smile." And this: "Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather and Friend. We will miss the smiles and laughter of this big, gentle man." And this: "An artist. There will always be you." And: "To know her was to love her." And: "Soaring with Eagles!" And: "Reeling in the big one!" And, as a plane took off across the street at LAX, I read this: "You're free to fly." There is a wooden bench with hearts carved in its back (see photo) near a marker that reads, "I will always love you." One pine tree with a tiny birdhouse was dedicated "To the Critters". One marker said simply "XOXOXO" The final plaque I read that day said "Until We Meet Again". Many trees flew colored ribbons of red, yellow, or white. Some trees displayed ornaments, one had an angel in its branches. I took 25 photos of the trees, and noticed that all were so different in shape, size, color, age, and personality......just like the people to whom they are dedicated. Yet all are trees.....so all are the same, and all are beautiful.......just like the people they honor. I lingered here for a long time. I wasn't contemplating death, but rather love. In the parks I am learning about love - not the fleeting kind, but the lasting kind, that spans lifetimes and generations, eternal like the wind. read more