10/10/2021
MICHAEL MCGRATH REFLECTS ON THE HOLLY HILL TREE
Michael founded The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF), a national charity delivering transformational experiences in the UK, called Muscle Dreams, for children and young people (aged 8-28) with muscular dystrophy and allied neuromuscular conditions.
Striking, purposeful and resilient.
And after all these years, still turning heads, still stirring imaginations, still drawing strength from mother earth.
Shaped by the elements, by the storms of life.
And yet still stable thanks to roots that nurture daily.
Much time has passed, years, many years.
And despite today’s challenging landscape, those roots are being fed like never before.
Holly Hill Tree, you are like many whose muscles are weary.
And yet, spirits are not dampened, we remain vigorous, we remain connected.
Despite the adversities of weather, we remain upright.
We see you Holly Hill Tree, despite appearances, we’re alive, we’re strong, we’re resolute.
You may look withered, you may look sad, you may look alone,
But we know there’s a beating heart that cares, that’s compassionate, that’s listening.
Whilst roots must often deal with rocks, with obstacles, with different adversities,
They more often than not break through the hardships before us, reaching upwards.
Like you Holly Hill Tree, we look to what’s possible today, to what we can control, not what we can’t.
We’re not locked down, we’re not helpless, we’re not alone.
And when the storm hit, we stood strong, we stood together, we looked up.
When we support each other, when our lives are intertwined, when we care, we will always be stronger together.
Oh Holly Hill Tree, we know its ok to not be ok, we know it’s ok to ask for help.
Look up, we see hope glinting through dark clouds, the suns warmth emerging.
Thank you Holly Hill Tree for being you, for reaching out, for casting your shadow.
We only know what we know, we only see what we see, we only feel what we feel.
You will always be striking, you will always be filled with purpose, stay hardy Holly Hill Tree.
We see your hope, your dignity, your humility, we see you Holly Hill Tree.
End.
