Growing up, the cherry blossom tree in the front of my house was massive to me. I would climb to the very top and it felt like I was in space. I remember my siblings and I running around our yard and that tree being our “safe spot”. That tree contains some of my favorite childhood memories.

One of the most distinct memories of my childhood that I have happens to be in that tree. It was a sunny day in the summer and I was playing with all my neighbors and my brother. I was the only girl in the group so sometimes I was left out of the games they were playing. I remember getting so angry at my brother for not allowing me into the game of kickball, that I ran and climbed the tree to be by myself. I climbed it to the spot I would normally sit on and then I lost my balance and fell. I fell a total of probably 10 feet onto bushes, but me being the dramatic child I was screamed bloody murder. Everyone ran over and checked on me. My brother felt so bad that he ran inside and got me ice cream to get me to stop crying.

From that day on I was never left out of a single game. So I really owe that tree a thanks because if I did not fall out of it that day I don’t think I would have the love for sports like I do today.

  • Katie Fallon