September 15, 2005 - Permanence

I had to stop. I know I am trying to make good time to get back to New Jersey for my aunt’s birthday. But, how can anyone drive by petrified forests without stopping. Seriously, I’m glad that I paid a visit to this National Park (gotta get good use out of my Golden Eagle Pass, too). There were hundreds of residents of a prehistoric forest, still lying in the dessert. They looked like trees from quick inspection but after touching them, it became quite clear that these once-living giants have changed form. They now persist, for what will seem to be like eternity for me, in a permanent state. It’s interesting to count the rings of these trees that have fallen and to realize that although they will not gain any more rings, they will persist in existence for quite a longer time.



There were many visitors at this park, especially during this “off-season”. I wondered what was the fascination for most of us there….what drew us to this place. Perhaps it is this idea of permanence that captivates us. We are so transient in this World. And, by the time we realize this fact, a good portion of our lives had already passed. Many of us scramble to make our existence more permanent. Some of us turn to a religion with the promise of eternal life. Others have children…to leave a part of themselves here after they’re gone. Some of us try to impart some change (hopefully a good one) to our community…perhaps one that will continue to make a difference after we are long gone. Who will succeed in a way comparable to the solution that these trees have discovered? Only time will tell…