Mia's Tree

For Christmas 2005, Dan gave Elise a tree to be planted in Mia's honor. The tree is an oriental weeping cherry tree - a grafted tree.

The plaque has the following inscription: "Planted with purpose, grafted in grace, nurtured with love. Romans 11:17"

We fell in love with the following analagy found in the book, Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, by Sherrie Eldridge: "A grafted tree. Magnificent to behold. One of a kind. Contrary to nature. Luxuriant leaves and intricate roots. Loaded with horticultural challenges for a gardner, but ultimately yielding a tree with unparalleled beauty. The adopted child. Magnificient to behold. One of a kind. Biologocial features often contrary to yours. Intricate roots that need to be healed. Loaded with behavioral challenges for parents, but ultimately yielding a life of unparallelled beauty."