Gentle Willow by Joyce Mills

One of the saddest days for our Olivia’s House York center was when we learned that our beautiful weeping cherry willow tree—the one that provided shade and security over our Healing Garden of Hope— had died and needed to be cut down. “Gentle Willow” by Joyce Mills tells a similar story from the perspective of Amanda the Squirrel, whose best friend, the Gentle Willow, is dying. The magic of the forest helps both Amanda and Gentle Willow learn about the changes that come with death, and how to keep their spiritual relationship alive even when the physical form has died. We’re not crying, you’re crying!