LEAVES OF THREE

As my son Alex and I were out for a walk, we were strolling along a sandy path when I pointed down to the lush green foliage growing along the edges.

“I see the poison ivy is nice and thick now.”

“Which ones?” Alex looked to where I was pointing.

“That’s ALL poison ivy.” I then pointed to the hairy vine climbing up a tree. “This entire tree is mostly poison ivy.”

Alex stopped and looked up. “What kind of tree is it?”

“I’m going to say a poison ivy tree right now.” I could see the vines had spread out to the branches with their distinct three leaf pattern. “Leaves of three, let it be.” I recited.

“Where did you hear that one?” Alex laughed.

“When I was growing up we had poison ivy in the yard. My poor Dad spent hours trying to tame it.” We began to walk again. “I can still see him with the pump can by his feet, giving it a few pumps, and then spraying a mist of his homemade weed killer.” I looked over at Alex. “I guess I just grew up knowing what the plant looked like and to stay away from it.”

I pointed to another hairy vine attached to the trunk of a tree. “Hairy rope, don’t be a dope.”

“Oh, come on!” Alex laughed again. “You’re making that up!”

“No I’m not!” I shook my head as a memory crossed my mind. “Did I ever tell you the time your Dad was moving a dead tree trunk that had fallen across our driveway?”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“It was after a big storm and there were branches all over the yard.” I cringed as I thought about what happened next. “I was upstairs taking care of your brother when I looked out the window and saw your Dad wrapping his arms around the dead tree that had fallen across the driveway.” I looked over at Alex. “I knew that tree and knew it was covered in poison ivy vines. So I raced to the window, opened it and began screaming ‘Hairy rope, don’t be a dope! Hairy rope, don’t be a dope!’

Alex started to laugh. “Why wouldn’t you just yell poison ivy?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I have no clue. But your Dad spent the next two weeks soaking in oatmeal baths!”

“Really?” Alex pointed to another hairy rope going up a tree. “Sure is a lot of poison ivy around here.”

“There sure is.”

“So, Dad is really that allergic to poison ivy?”

“Oh, you have no idea!” I shook my head thinking about it. “I never saw anything like it! I swear I thought I was going to have to take him to the emergency room!”

Alex shook his head and cringed. “I think I had poison ivy when I was a kid but I don’t remember it being so bad.” Alex said.

“Me either.” I sighed. “But you know Dad.” I looked over at Alex and raised my eyebrows. “You know his motto.”

Alex laughed. “Go big or go home!”

I nodded my head. “That’s pretty much his motto in everything he does!”