Palo Alto High School - Madrono Yearbook (Palo Alto, CA)

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3in Unnnriam GEORGE E. MERCER JAMES WATERS

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MADRONO .. 1931.. PUBLISHED BY THE SENIOR CLASS June, 1931

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? d orewon 7 little story inspired the theme of this issue of the Jt ± Madrono. A child, whose parents were taking her to S j live in a far country, was very sorrowful over leaving her beloved play-mates. Finally, a comforting thought glad- dened her. As she quickly transplanted a tiny oak tree to the spot where they had played and worked together, she gently whispered, Dear little Tree, do your best to grow big and strong so that my friends will know how much I loved them, and — if I ever do return,. it won ' t be so lonely if you are here to greet me. Then she went away. Many years later, a white- haired, bent old lady, surrounded by a group of merry children, approached the tree. Why, Grandma, can this big tree be Your Tree? Tears of pride and joy filled her eyes. The children bounded off; she sat down and leaned her weary head against its sturdy trunk. It seemed to her that the limbs lovingly wrapped their arms about her, and the leaves murmured, Wel- come, dear friend. Oh, how I have longed to see you again. Through days when the sun has burned me and seared my leaves; through storms when I was nearly uprooted but I bent to let them pass over me; travelers have blessed my shade; children have romped under my protection; and best of all, I am here to greet you, today! Perhaps our grand old oaks will serve us the same way. After we have scattered over the various trails of life, we, too, may return and rejoice to find these living, familiar trees hold- ing out their gnarled arms to greet us with memories still green of our days. The Editor