Justis never ceases to amaze and surprise me. With no hint of fear, he managed to climb an live oak tree bough from the ground to about 4 feet or so above Travis's head at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans when we attended the Swamp Festival!
A short note about "live oaks." I learned what a live oak is when we visited Destrehan Plantation with the kids and my parents. Logically, as my mother pointed out, the opposite of a live oak is a dead oak! Why do people call them live oaks?Ernie, our tour guide, graciously looked beyond our lack of southern knowledge and explained that a live oak is one that never goes into dormancy for winter. They hold their leaves (evergreen) and continue growing all winter long. They drop all their leaves in a week's time in early spring, and sprout new leaves in about a week!
The age of the particular live oak that Justis climbed was over 200 years and counting! The bough he climbed had grown into the ground, making an excellent place to start climbing.
Without hesitation Justis left Dawson and Madalynn to contemplate whether they wanted to climb and was halfway up the tree before Travis and I realized he was making the trek.
Horror came over me (mom instinct), when I saw him halfway up. Thankfully my horror kept my mouth shut long enough for Travis to signal me to chill out and get back. Obviously this was a male "strength" or "pride" thing, AND a daddy/son thing. I wasn't about to ruin the moment. I zipped it and stepped back onto the sidewalk to cheer him on with one eye opened and one eye closed. Dawson and Maddie were quickly by my side watching in awe and cheering as their brave and heroic brother conquered the live oak!
Justis didn't even need Travis's help, who had stepped up to "spot" in case of a slip or fall. Travis only had to help him make it down from the top. The older boys climbing behind him were ever-so-respectful and patient in allowing him his moment of glory.
Justis was humble, but excited for his achievement. We were all so excited we could be there with him to encourage him and celebrate with him!
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