Hang Your Sorrows on the Sorrow Tree

One of my favorite books, Writing for Your Life by Deena Metzger, describes a folk tale called “The Sorrow Tree:”

For eons, people complained continuously and piteously to God. Unable to bear it, God suggested that they hang their sorrow on the Sorrow Tree. Then they were to choose any sorrow they wished from among those hanging there. They circled and circled the tree, looking for the very sorrow that would be exactly fitting and bearable, the one sorrow that would fulfill them. But after much searching, each inevitably reclaimed his or her own pain.

Originally, I wrote about Janine Roberts in November’s Giving Challenge blog titled, “Go Through the Gate.” She has been in Zimbabwe for almost a decade helping improve nutrition and finding money for medical costs for children in the Fairfield Children’s Home where she lived and worked.

Janine has been taking care of twin Zimbabwean girls for the past two years and was in the process of adopting them. The law changed and only Zimbabwean’s could adopt children. Her last hope was to apply for a permanent visa. At the very least, it would allow her to remain in the country and be with her children.

Regrettably, her recent newsletter said the visa was denied resulting in her having to leave her home, loving family and a job that had been her life’s work for the past 12 years. She is currently living in Cape Town, South Africa, and visits the twin girls occasionally. She still believes in the program and needs support for her children.

Today’s gift was to send a donation to Janine’s labor of love, Project Hope, so that children she cares so much about can continue receiving the help they desperately need. The hardship that I would hang on the Sorrow Tree is insignificant compared to so many other people’s problems.

In Giving,

Robin