In the back of my yard is a huge willow tree. It is down by our fence and tree fort. When I was younger I always noticed how it changed with the seasons so beautifully. The tree is three times bigger than the fence. There was always plenty of green leaves and birds nests on it. One night during a severe storm it got hit by lightning. It was nearly cut in half. The tree managed to stay alive. But it does not look as robust as it did when I was younger.

--Michael Connolly