YOU wrote deeply of something very dear to YOUR heart Karla, and it shows with beauty!
Many hugs to you sweet Karla, and don't be scared, find the memories to cover you like an umbrella and embrace change! HONEST Loving deep WRite!
Write On!
Warmest Blessings and Inner Peace and Joy, Warrior Purple PaSSion Lady Shexooo

STay Positive!

A creative way to express your feelings, Karla. Very touching. My heart goes out to you! Love and Hugs~
Sheila

...beautiful write Karla...never forgetting...a family tree.
John

A beautiful, and most fitting analogy. God bless. JMW

Your poetry is some of most honest I've ever read... that took a lot of courage.... just to write like this when you feel this way. I couldn't do it. When I lose a loved one I just have to walk and sit. I can't create... And by the picture your metaphor is touching many others with its beauty. The "strength of that Big 'ol Buckeye Tree" will return to shade your seared soul...

you have painted the color of pain with your words. Thanks dear sister and friend for this wonderful offering

The way you've expressed this...along with the use of the metaphor...it's beautiful Karla...although so very sad. Prayers and hugs continued to be sent your way.

this brought tears--such deep honesty and such sorrow--i am so sorry

hugs...grief and sorrow are the most difficult emotions to bear...
I'm sorry you are sad, scared and feeling alone

"Buckeye Tree, Felled"

The true pain is still all too familiar to me.
On bended knees one must and has to truly give IT TO GOD.
Dear Friends You and Sis cling to one another and the rest of your fam, love one another even more at this time.

Prayers for you and your family,
~Most sincerely Gwendolyn


ps...I remember those buckeye's very well and gathering them too

Oh, I am so very sorry for your loss, Karla...and Karen. It's so painful for you both now, but know that your love for your Daddy, and his love for you two will sustain you more than you realize. As I realized with my Mother, she no longer was suffering, so you will come to that conclusion and be consoled.
Blessings, Prayers, and Love to the two of you ~~ Micke

Sorry for your loss Karla. Your tree is stronger than it ever was however. No storm or wind can ever do him damage again and he is waiting in a golden field gaining more strength in his branches for the day when he can embrace you once again and for all eternity.

The rawness of this makes me bleed, Karla! Yes, you are Daddy's girl, always have been and always will be. We are always in that same relationship with our kinsfolk, whatever age we be. And I can feel that impact, that sudden surge of realisation of loss and sense of abandonment. Bless you. And the tree is pure revelation: there could be no better metaphor for the role of a father in a girl's life... all the comments below supplement and add to what you have drawn on here. I would like to stand in the shadow of Charlie's beautiful benediction... I can do no better in words from my own heart. But know that all our loving arms wrap around you, Karen and your brother and wider family at this time. We can absorb the shock waves with you, like rings in the trunk of a great oak. And he is always with you, Karla. You will see and know his presence when the storm lights up the sky as his massive outline is silhouetted or illuminated, watching over and protecting you as always. It's funny... my Mom died just over two whole years' ago now but only last week she was suddenly VISUALLY with me, just the same, in a way I have never thought about her or witnessed her since a few months' before she died. She was EVERYWHERE. I kept hearing her stick on my wooden flors and seeing the light glinting off her silver head of hair. She was just THERE, in her long cardi with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows, smiling above her powder-blue blouse... No, Karla... He will be with you. Always. Love and many prayers and hugs, Kate xx

You pray and cling to the branches that still exist... In reality, the roots aren't gone, only the tree was felled, and the roots your father gave you as a sapling will dig deep into the soul(soil) and grow and become magnificent trees as well...

Love,
Cryssa

If this is methaphoric then the memories of your Dad will always shelter and protect you. If there really is a tree, the only thing to do is plant another and watch it grow as you do...

Fee

Karla this has to be hard for you, I can't imagine what the pain you are going through, but know you have a friend in me.
God Bless
Michelle~

Karla, When my Dad died in 1988 I wanted to crumble, I know how you feel. God will give you strength and guidance, Your tree is within forever more. My heart and prayers go out to you and Karen.
Love and Blessings,
Christine

The branch is never far from the tree, and it always feels the sap circulating through it in spirit,to give strength and assurance that you are never truly alone,and Creator keeps both tree and branches living in Him! Keep the faith Karla! My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Love,
ET

Some of us didn't have big strong trees, Karla, so we had to become the tree. It's possible and can help others.

I love this, Karla. I hate to be cliche but your Daddy will
live forever in your beautiful poetry. After more years than
I wish to count, I still write about my Dad and think of him
almost daily. Love to you.... Genbe.

He will always be with you, dear friend, and you will do what has to be done...Ed

God fells his trees to build those mansions, Darlin'. You cut me right to the soul with that one... A big axe-chip in my heart. Oh, to be a Jonny Appleseed with his gunny sack slung across my shoulders, planting life and nourishment in every place my foot falls... and oh, to be a comforter who heals through words sent from miles and miles away to touch and make all well... But I pray for the One Comforter to tend to your heart-wounds... And I pray for the One Planter of Life to come and make in you a sapling of hope and happiness that will grow with time-- a memory tree with branches strong to hang your thoughts on... May God bless and keep you. --Charlie

Close your eyes and you will see that the "tree" is still there, you don't need to be afraid, becauses its branches are all around you.

Georg

Karla, I'm saddened to hear of your loss. Just hang in there and keep writing, that's really all you can do. All my best. R.E. (Ray) Armstrong

Karla, my heart goes out to you at this time. Your poem described your great loss.

I wrote a poem called "Gone but not Forgotten" that is posted on AD. Some folks have told me that it really made them feel better.
God bless you.

Karla, right now you feel your big strong tree has left you but the truth be known he is stronger than ever dear. For now your Dad is without pain and suffering, he is now able to watch over you as he smiles down on you every second praying that you will always remember the good memories. Think of the breeze on your cheek as a kiss from his lips and each time you and your sister hug it is his arms placed around both of you. When you hear the whisper from the wind, it is his voice telling you that he is there with you all the time. Listen to the song, "I'm Already There".
You are in my thoughts and prayers dear.

Newfie Hugs are on the way, Rose

This is so touching and heartfelt Karla, I strongly believe you still have your buckeye tree only now it's invisible...

hugs & Kisses & prayers

B

You will always carry the shelter, guidance, protection, knowledge, love, and all that your father instilled within you deep within your heart and soul. I never really had the opportunity to get to know my dad by his choice...but I'm not complaining about that...my grandfather (papaw) as I called him was more than a grandfather, he was our father figure and just after I married, he passed away...it left a gaping hole in my heart, but with time, prayer, photos, and wonderful memories he lives within me and I'm often recognized as being his granddaughter by people I really don't even know, so will your dad live through you and Karen...in your hearts, minds, stories, poetry, blogs and all aspects of life. Time does heal wounds...draw from the strength that you inherited from the foundation that he laid for you...a great poem my friend...very touching, loved how you cleverly with your heart wove the buckeye tree within, a great simile. Well done, my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you and Karen both...
BLessings,
Joyce B.

Heartrending write that tells us all too clearly of the pain and anguish we are currently experiencing. Know that daddy loved us and he will live on in our hearts and in this beautiful tribute to him. Very well penned; we'll get through this grief together; we have to lean on each other and on the support and love of others.

(((HUGS))) and much love (and many prayers), your twin, Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <

Fathers truly can be like big, strong, protective trees to their children. And it hurts so very much when they fall. But they will always live on, in our hearts and souls. It's almost 8 years now since I lost my Dad, and it still seems like yesterday to me.

Attachments forever held .~.evol _ Ted

Oh my Karla, my heart hurts for you and your family. Take what that tree taught you and keep in your heart the love he gave you and you will get through this Karla, you, Karen and the whole family. For that big strong tree gave all of you the same strength, now draw on that my friend. Love, Bonnie