Happy Birthday Dear Sequoias
“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.”
― Chris Maser
Sequoia National Park and I share the same birthday. September 25. We are a few years apart. But there are days I feel ancient.
My name, Sequoia, came to me in a nice way. It resonated with me immediately.
I researched the significance of the word Sequoia. I called my numerologist in Texas and asked her if changing my name to Sequoia would strengthen my presence on the planet. This part of the story sounds weird … even to me.
“The name will not affect how people perceive you, but it will increase your service vibration. The numbers are strong in service, teaching, and creative arts,” she replied. “And the name Sequoia is the only word in the English Language containing all the vowels, that’s a bonus.”
“I don’t need to continue to live with a stupid name that doesn’t fit me and never did?”
She continued, “Try it on. Ask people to start calling you Sequoia.”
She was wrong. Colleagues and family members perceived me as completely batty. However, for the most part everyone played along.
Everyone, except my mother.
“I received an email from someone named Sequoia. I don’t know a Sequoia. I nearly deleted it.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’ve changed my name, but you can call me whatever you want mom,” I explained.
“Well, I’m going to use your real name. Not that other stupid name,” she huffed.
My youngest daughter had something to say too. “Oh for god’s sake, Sequoia conjures up some old hippy chick with feathers in her hair.” Long pause… “Oh wait! That would be you.”
Then, she threatened to change her name too.
My sisters jokingly discussed changing their names to Pinon and Juniper. Very funny!
I did take some shit. Mostly, there was a lot of eye rolling behind my back.
Six months after people began referring to me as Sequoia, a colleague said, “I know you had another name, but I forgot what it was.”
Me too.
Coconino County Court and $240.00 later I became Sequoia in the eyes of the law. It was a rebirth of sorts. I had to change my Social Security Card and make an addendum to my birth certificate.
I was no longer a person with a stupid name. Don’t ask, I won’t tell.
I found out that Sequoia (Sequoyah) was one of the most important figures in the history of the Cherokee Nation. While serving in the U. S. Army he learned about, “talking leaves” as he called books. He mastered the skill of reading and decided literacy would be the way to help his people.
After many years of threats from tribal leaders, insults from his fellow warriors, and ridicule from everyone, he developed a Cherokee alphabet that allowed every sound to be transferred into a written word. He is credited for not only the literacy of his people and thus their capability to communicate, but preserving the native language. The Cherokee language is one of the few that has not been lost as elders die out, and youngsters don’t want to learn complicated oral traditions.
Sequoyah believed the ability to read and write in the Cherokee language would allow the people to remain independent.
He was a scholar, painter, silversmith, and warrior. A real Renaissance Man.
The numerologist was correct. Sequoia’s name does have a strong vibration of service and creativity.
He was so unusual in his devotion to service to his people, that in 1847 a German botanist, Stephen Endlicher named the ancient redwoods after him. Sequoia sempervirens. Then, in 1854 a French botanist, Joseph Decaisne, used his name to include the giant sequoias, which are relatives of the coastal redwoods.
Sequoia National Park was established on September 25, 1890, making it the second national park in the United States.
The giant sequoias have stood the test of time. They have been on Earth for over 240 million years, and according the the National Park Service, are among the oldest living organisms on the planet. Sequoia trees have lived to be 3,500 years old based on dendrochronology.
This species has seen it all. Dinosaurs. Giant sequoias are considered by scientists to be living dinosaurs. They outlived the dinosaurs by 70 million years. Meteor strikes. Every weather event known or unknown, and they survived. Thrived. Now, scientists are concerned about their stressed condition and the continued survival of the ancient ones.
Three years ago, I planned a trip to visit Sequoia National Park on our birthday. My own private celebration with the stately trees. I hadn’t been there to visit since the 70’s when I was stationed at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, and drove my little Chevy Nova all over the place.
I didn’t go. I regret that decision. I may never get the chance.
General Sherman is now wrapped in protective fire resistant material.
NOAH BERGER/AP PHOTO
Sequoia National Park has been threatened by the KNP Complex fire, but officials said four famous sequoias were saved after being wrapped in flame-resistant material. Above, flames climb a tree as the Windy Fire burns in the Trail of 100 Giants grove in Sequoia National Forest, California, on September 19, 2021.
The gentle giants are in peril. Think about that for a second. Put your phone down and ponder what this says about the current status of our world.
After 240 million years the planet’s oldest organisms are dying on our watch.
I’m finding it difficult to celebrate my 66th birthday. I sure as hell don’t want birthday candles. Too much smoke as it is.
