There was a pepper tree outside my folk's house where I grew up, and I loved that tree. I'd play under it as the branches dropped to the ground, so it was like a huge umbrella. I loved to climb it too. I'd make mud pies and decorate them with the pepper berries and leaves.

One time, as an adult, I went to visit mom, and the tree was gone. Mom had it cut down as it got too big and old. She told me she knew I'd be sad when I saw it gone and she was right.