Credits
ArtPlay Palette Epic (paper, transfers, overlay, brushes)
ArtsyKardz Epic
UrbanStitchez Leaves No.2
UrbanStitchez Leaves No.3
ArtPlay Mini Palette Deciduous (metal leaf charm)
ArtPlay Mini Palette Amity (metal leaf charm-small)

Journaling:
Have you ever wondered about the individual branches of your family tree and their effect on the rest of the tree?

A tree without branches won’t survive. Branches create, transport, and store nutrients On the other hand, by eliminating excessive or competing branches, a tree’s shape improves. You increase the amount of sunlight and air that can circulate through the tree’s canopy. If a branch breaks off a tree, you don’t need to get rid of the whole branch. Simply cut off the broken part. And, although it goes without saying, a dead branch cannot revive itself.

All of this, I think, is relevant to family trees.

I’ve seen the damage competing branches inflict on the overall health of the tree. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen how the tree improves when a damaged branch that received much love and care is finally let go and the sun is allowed to shine through the open space left behind.

The sunlight is, I believe, a gift from the departing branch. It’s sad to lose a part of your tree but isn’t there some obligation to nurture the tree as a whole so that it has its best chance to thrive? I’m not sure. Time will tell.