I saw them from the side window.

The car had been idling on the corner for a few minutes before the woman got out of the passenger side and made her way to my fence. Her husband parked down the street and then joined her. There was pointing and circling to find the best angle and then the cameras came out.

The subject of all this attention? Our Live Oak tree.

I hurried outside, opened the gate and invited them into the yard to take a closer look.

This is something that happens a LOT.

It is impossible to work in the yard without someone stopping to ask questions about it or wanting to snap a picture. Cars with rolled down windows slow down and circle the house with people pointing and gesturing.

People walking dogs. People with baby strollers. People on their way to church.

It is an impressive tree.

I have met people from all over the United States who were visiting the area and were directed to, or happened by our tree.

One morning I let a man visiting from Japan into the yard as I was heading out with the dogs. He said it was the tree’s good energy that he was drawn to.

The couple today were visiting from Germany. They had been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and were making their way to Charleston by way of Savannah before heading home.

Of all the trees they had seen (and Louisiana has AMAZING Live Oak) they declared ours their favorite. The woman is an artist and said she had plans to paint a picture of the tree. She gave me a hug, gave the tree a bigger one and then they were on their way.

As big and complicated as the world is, it makes me smile knowing that something as simple as a tree has the power to bring people together.

As I latched the gate and headed back inside I thanked the tree for its good energy and for drawing so many good people to it.