Abi

I drew a green tree, not just the leaves, but the whole tree, trunk and all. I was inspired by the trees in Lewiston, especially around Bates College. They're strong, beautiful, rooted, and they give me hope. 

In my Christian faith, trees have deep meaning. The Bible, the Bible begins with the tree of knowledge, that ends with the tree of life, and Christ the Savior died on a tree. My tree is green all over, to say this, fruitfulness is not just about what you produce, it's about who you are. Are you kind, patient, gentle? That is fruitfulness. In a world that often measures us by success or status, this tree reminds us, you are valuable, even if you can't earn much or do what society praises. You are still fruitful. If you live with character, integrity, you are well, you are green. Lewiston has faced deep struggle, but also shows us deep strength. Like this tree, green throughout, we might not always look like what the world calls successful, but if we stay grounded on the inside, we are still whole, still well, still fruitful.