Memorial Tree, 2016
This labor of love was a memorial piece in honor of Margie Freeman, my AP Language and Composition teacher in high school. After her death, students and teachers wanted something to honor her by. I volunteered to make this wire weeping willow tree.
"Here... The great hearted gather. We are a door that is never locked. If you are suffering any kind of pain, stay near this door. Open it." - Rumi, Persian Sufi Poet
Among the branches are 29 different literary quotes. I collected them from students and teachers, to let anyone who wanted to be part of the process. This quote took 2 and a half hours to write out in wire.
The book this tree stands on, The Odyssey, used to be Mrs. Freeman's teaching copy. Inside are many notes she wrote. It was donated to this project by her former colleges, who agreed that they wouldn't be able to use it, and so it should be used in some way.
I wanted to add a nesting crane to symbolize peace, within this memorial piece.
The piece is about a foot tall and a foot wide. The wire is silver-plated copper wire. There is also a steel rod in the middle for support.
The tree was created fall of 2016. I would not have been able to complete this project without the love and support of the Bellingham High School community. Special thanks especially to Laura Baker, my AP Literature teacher, who helped collect quotes, organize with the school, and always was there to talk to.
Below are the quotes included:
"Good friends, good books,and a sleepy conscience. This is the ideal life." - Mark Twain
"Here... The great hearted gather. We are a door that is never locked. If you are suffering any kind of pain, stay near this door. Open it." - Rumi, Persian Sufi Poet
“Timshel” - Steinbeck
"Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot." - Truman Capote
"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." - Alfred Tennyson
"When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening." - Unknown
"Though inland far we be,
Our souls have sight of that immortal sea" - 536. Ode, William Wordsworth.
Our souls have sight of that immortal sea" - 536. Ode, William Wordsworth.
“Out, out, brief candle.” - William Shakespeare
“Life is a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved except in memory." -Leonard Nimoy
"It sure was a privilege to love her, huh?" - John Green
"Well, have fun!" - Margie Freeman
"The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion." - Paulo Coehlo
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
"You must live your own life. No one else can." - Unknown
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." - Harper Lee
"Everything worthwhile takes work." - Unknown
"book is a dream that you hold in your hand" - Neil Gaiman
"I just want to give students a chance to feel their learning" - Margie Freeman
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” - Unknown
"Welcome to Fernburg" - Margie Freeman
"I'm not gonna let this bug me." - Margie Freeman
"No worries." - Unknown
"I love this beautiful place we live in." - Unknown
"A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops" - Unknown
"Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln
"And tho she be but little, she is fierce" - William Shakespeare
"I care and I dare" - Maya Angelou
"The time is always right to do what is right" - Unknown
"Now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good" - Steinbeck
