The Wishing Tree (1): A Destiny City Star Festival Tradition to be held every year; In Town Square, there is a beautiful tree with spreading branches. It is tall, but the lowest branches are easily reached. The city has decorated the tree with small, starlike ornaments and glistening lights. Thick leaves and beautiful purple flowers dangle from the branches, along with a myriad of different colored papers with handwritten wishes. Next to the tree is a stack of blank paper with twine attached, and a handwritten sign that explains:

Write your wish on a sheet of paper and tie it to the tree. Take one wish off the tree and do your best to grant it. When you have granted the wish, bury the paper in the park.

The papers are biodegradable and filled with seeds. There are no rules for wishing, but you are encouraged to wish for something vague enough that it can be interpreted in many ways so that it can be granted; you do not write your name on it, but it is encouraged to write something that doesn’t wish for self gain, but rather something that can make the world a better place. Some wishes dangling from the tree already include things like “I wish there wasn’t so much litter in the park,” “I wish someone would clean the graffiti off the old historic buildings,” and “I wish there were more volunteers at the shelter.”

If you choose to use the Wishing Tree, what do you wish for? If your wish is private, you may write it on the paper and choose a spot in the park and bury it yourself instead of hanging it on the tree.

“Hey Papi,” Phedre turned her car off and placed a hand on top of her grandfather's to get his attention. “We’re here,” she smiled endearingly at him. “I’ll get your wheelchair out from the back and we can look around for a bit. Does that sound ok?”

“Phe dear, I can still walk you know.” With a cane of course but he was still able to move around at a moderate pace.

“I know, but it’s also pretty warm out and I don’t want you to get exhausted.” Today was a good day in that he seemed more himself. And while the temperature was a reason for concern, she did worry that he may have an episode and forget where they were or what they were doing and wander off. This way, she could at least be sure to keep an eye on him if she were guiding him through the festival.

“I want you to be honest with me, if you start feeling tired I need you to let me know.” She’d made sure to also bring some small snacks and a few water bottles filled to the brim with ice to make sure they both stayed hydrated.

“You worry too much,” he turned his hand over and gave hers a reassuring squeeze. “Thank you, my dear sweet Fae.” Weathered by age, the wrinkles in around his eyes were accentuated when he smiled over at his granddaughter. “I am glad you brought me here with you today.” It was nice to leave the estate and be around people again. Or at least he thought it would be.

“It can’t be helped. You’re my favorite grandparent.” he was also the only living one but that played no part in her statement. “I’ll be right back to help you out.” Phedre got out of the SUV and from her trunk she pulled out a wheelchair which she set up with ease. The wheels were locked in place to keep it from rolling away as she then took the bag of necessities and hung it on the back. She then walked over to the passengers side door and opened it. “If you’d please,” she greeted with a playful tone before offering her hand to help her grandfather out of the car.

He chuckled, shook his head at her behavior, but took her hand and allowed Phedre to help him get settled in the chair. “Tell me, what is there to do here at this festival.”

“Well…” she unlocked the wheels and began pushing him towards the sidewalk. “First place I’d like to take you is the Wishing Tree.”

“Oh?” he interrupted.

“Mmhmm. It’s a key point of this festival. You can write a wish on these special pieces of paper and then tie it to the tree. Someone may pick yours and will try to grant it if it’s feasible.” Some wishes were too abstract or personal to do anything about. “You then find a place in the park to bury it and hopefully this time next year there will be flowers were the paper was.”

“That sounds nice,” he nodded his head. “I bet it helps the park stay beautiful.”

“I think so,” Phedre agreed. “Would you like to start there?”

“You know, I think I would,” her grandfather replied with a tone that suggested he already had a wish in mind.

“Then the Wishing Tree is where we shall go.”