TREE OF LOVE

The Tree of love has been inspired by my” Fairy Best Friend “, Janina (and also a hummingbird named
Tinkerbell – but that’s a different story).
I created it to keep Janina’s spirit alive – sooo unique: an absolutely beautiful and kind, sparkling, silly,
wondrous, strong, curious but mostly loving personality. Shine on sweet Soul Sister, shine bright like a
diamond ! I’ll help you to continue to bring smiles into this world, as promised! The Tree of Love is proof
of it….

That’s why:
There are 88 crystal rainbow hearts hung up high in branches, each one tied up individually (Me climbing
ladders to do so even though I’m terrified of heights, lol).
Now the tree sparkles like diamonds in the sunshine and like tiny, twinkling stars in the streetlight all
night.
That’s why:
There is “Honey Bunny” (as she called me and Juergen, too) on the swing making all who see her smile
and giggle (and kids can’t resist to give her a little push or spin her around)
That’s why:
I created “Braid Falls”, “Pebble River”, and “Crystal Lake” for Janina (she loooved the water – called is
Sacred!).
That’s why:
There is the “Rainbow Bridge” and two small homes above the waterfall, representing we are only
separated by a thin veil.
That’s why:
There are little treasures hidden all over the tree just to keep the magic alive that she created for
children everywhere.
When all of a sudden my Soul Sister became my Spirit Sister I was absolutely amazed and surprised how
connected we still are.
The most incredible signs I have been gifted with are absolutely mind-blowing and way beyond
coincidences (and I’ve got pictures to prove every single one)! But those stories will be saved for a
different time.
This ONE story I would like to share with you, though, as an example of the power of eternal love and its
significance to the story of the Tree of Love. I call it:

the TREASURE HUNT

On the night of June 1 st someone stole all the treasures and decorations that I had worked on for weeks
with so much love, care, and determination. Everything was just – gone! Empty strings cut off, dangling
in the wind. I was devastated and heartbroken, not because of the loss of things but because someone
deliberately destroyed a place of joy and smiles for everyone. After breaking down I got back up, dusted
myself off, and decided I would not let it stop me from decorating the tree again all night.
I was now filled with a fierce determination to find the stolen treasures. In my mind I kept seeing a black
garbage bag and I am a little ashamed to admit that I went dumpster diving with the first morning light
and in the rain, searching the bins in the neighbourhood alleys, with no luck finding them. Three
treasure hunters were involved in searching for what was lost.
There was one building I felt early on was connected to this (again, in my mind, I saw Janina pointing at
it over and over… weird). But we did not have access to their underground garbage area. We were able
later that evening to get access to THAT building, and the three of us then proceeded to check this last
hope for the stolen items.
And guess what – the treasures were finally found at the bottom of the last huge garbage container in a
black garbage bag !!! You should have seen my “Happy Dance” and tears of utter joy and triumph!!!
Also, the universe has a wicked sense of humor…
All night before while I was re-decorating the tree I kept praying to find the treasures, I didn’t even want
to know who did it. But guess what… there were not just one, but three envelopes with the name,
address, phone number and apartment number in the garbage bag that was used to get rid of the
evidence. Hmmm, I felt at that point that the universe was telling me to contact that person. So I wrote
a heartfelt letter and let them know how selfish and cruel those actions were, affecting many people.
Because in the days following the theft I was constantly asked what happened to the tree and the
children were soo sad. They couldn’t understand why someone would destroy such a place of beauty,
joy and toys to play with.
I bet that person must have been really surprised to see all the treasures back up in the tree – and then
some! Now people leave little gifts and more treasures are added all the time. Our Tree of Love has
become a little oasis where people meet and visit and kids play with smiles on their faces.
We even put out a camping chair for the elderly to “take a break and enjoy the view” – lol

Mission accomplished, Janina!!!
Because of you this place exists and continues to bring joy and smiles into this wold, every day!

Apparently Janina had planned a big finale to our story, because this just happened while I was still
finishing up writing it…

The three treasure hunters met under the tree a few nights ago for a last smoke and one of them
complimented how beautiful it looks with all the decorations. I was so touched by his kind words and
replied with: “As you know, my friend, this whole place was created to keep Janina’s spirit alive.”
The second those words left my mouth, BOOM, all the streetlights went out down our street only!!! All
you could see were the sparkles all over the tree. We were just stunned. The lights came back on shortly
after and I stayed behind by myself to send some prayers of joy and gratitude. BOOM. The lights went
out again and I checked up and down the road… Lights working everywhere down the blocks as far as I
could see. Mysterious. Suddenly the light started to flicker back on – but only the lamppost next to our
Tree!!! Sorry, no pictures as proof this time – it was too dark, lol!

I will be forever grateful that through time and space (literally) Janina and I were still meant to find each
other and were blessed to spend over a quarter of a century together.

For my “Fairy Best Friend”