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				DA TREE
			 
 > > > > Subject: The small tree > > > >
 > > > > I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he
 > >had
 > > > > just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose
 > >an
 > > > > hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck
 > > > > refused to start.
 > > > >
 > > > > While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he
 > >invited
 > > > > me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he
 > >paused
 > > > > briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both
 > > > > hands.
 > > > >
 > > > > When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His
 > >tanned
 > > > > face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and
 > > > > gave his wife a kiss.
 > > > >
 > > > > Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity
 > > > > got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do
 > >earlier.
 > > > >
 > > > > "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having
 > > > > troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't
 > > > > belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them
 > > > > up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care
 > >of
 > > > > them. Then in the morning I pick them up again." "Funny thing is," he
 > > > > smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't
 > > > > nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
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