04 June 2008

My Wild Olive Tree




I've been studying about the olive tree allegory in the Book of Mormon and found my thoughts drifting to my own Olive.  We named her Olive, with the symbolism of peace.  I think perhaps we picked the wrong child.  Or perhaps it's just her age, but I find myself struggling to know how to parent her.  If something is not to her liking, she deflates and howls.  On the other hand, when she enjoys something, she is the happiest, sweetest girl.  

Transforming a wild olive tree into a good and productive one takes 5 years, but for it to produce fully, it takes 15.  They live for 100 years, if properly cared for.  The amazing thing about olive trees is once they begin to die, they send up shoots from their roots to continue the cycle.  It is said that through this regeneration, there are olive trees now that existed at the time of Christ.

So, my Olive needs a firm hand, but a loving one.  Easier said than done, especially when I tell her not to pour water in the car and that's what she does just 2 seconds later.  Or when we are all kneeling for prayers (even Azure) and she's rolling around giggling or climbing up Ryan's back.  Or when she makes Azure scream over and over and over.  Pruning with care is what Olive requires.  I love her with everything I have, and remember that especially when she's sleeping.

14 comments:

  1. I loved reading this--makes me think of my own wild children, especially the prayer part!

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  2. I vote for the age. Didn't Ms. Stacy from Anne of Green Gables say that your character is developed by the time you are 16? So if an Olive tree takes 15 years to become fully producing, I think you've got your work cut out:)

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  3. Well, wild Olive! Yes, I think it is the age perhaps. She certain won my heart!

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  4. Sounds like she lives life to the fullest...that's my kind of girl!

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  5. Oh, Katy! She sounds JUST like Lucy. The "2 seconds later", the playing during prayer, making (Hazel) scream over and over and over!!! It is all too familiar. LIke Olive, if she's enjoying something she is truly the picture of happiness. We need to get these two together!

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  6. Too funny. It also sounds a lot like Kylie - I call her my "Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde" child.

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  7. How old is Olive? Because I could have sworn you were writing about Calvin (just a few months shy of 4). Lately he has not even been waiting two seconds but staring right at me as I yell "No! NO!" It certainly is easier to have patience when they are sleeping, amen to that!

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  8. You wrote this so beautifully.

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  9. So, it sounds like it's the age--hooray for that.

    Emily, she's 4 in August, so get Olive, Calvin, Lucy, and Kylie together and we'd have something more explosive than the atomic bomb, I suppose!

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  10. That was me (Katy) above!

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  11. An atomic playdate--I'm in!!!

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  12. I'm glad to see that even with an experienced, wonderful mom as yourself you still have these moments. It's selfish of me I know, but it makes me feel like I'm not doing too bad with my own girl who can throw that head back at a drop of a dime!
    Only 8 days! Can't wait to hear about and see this next child!

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  13. Love the line that you picked the wrong child to name Olive, symbol of peace. Sounds like you picked the perfect name for her. Olive, the wild tree and doesn't every family need a wild tree?

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  14. Wow, that was describing my Miranda (3 years old) too. I tell people she's my wild one but maybe I just forget that the older one was like that once and the younger one just hasn't got to that stage yet! :) We have the same rolling around during prayer and making Natalie scream over and over. :) This too shall pass... :)

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