We're on Big Oak Trail now...

Last weekend, following all of the election excitement and suffering from too many hours of nervously checking all the screens, I knew I was long overdue for a little nature. Embracing the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku or ‘ forest bathing' I headed out on familiar trails for my much needed tree bath and got lost in thought.

Coming upon a large fallen oak tree, I stopped in my tracks. I was mesmerized, not so much by the girth of the tree, but by the extent of the roots, and the soil all around the base of the tree, clearly enriched from the slow decomposition, imbued with warmth and depth. Ruth Bader Ginsberg immediately sprang to mind, and I thought of her life and legacy, and all that she left behind with her passing.

In particular I thought of her close personal relationship with Justice Antonin Scalia. Even though ideologically they were miles apart, their relationship thrived and deepened throughout the decades. The story about the two dozen roses that Scalia bought to send to Ginsberg on her birthday always makes me smile. Judge Jeffrey Sutton, upon seeing them in Scalia’s chambers, asked him if he was trying to sway Ginsberg’s vote, and expressed the futility of it, given her hard stance on the issues at hand. Scalia purportedly replied:

“Some things are more important than votes”

It’s a good lesson for today. There’s still lots of tension, and hard days ahead, as we wrestle with so many divisive issues. As we try to find common ground, we would be well served to reflect on the model behavior provided by Justices Ginsberg and Scalia, and remember that our relationships are paramount.

The recent loss of RGB has left a big hole, but it’s also left us with so many gifts, and so much opportunity to build upon her legacy. I’m grateful for this new touchstone, this physical place to reflect on my own contributions and pay homage to her.

Our Big Oak may have fallen, but she has enriched our soils, and it’s up to us saplings to make the most of that. We’re on Big Oak Trail now and have much ground to cover. I look forward to seeing you out there.