The gnarled and twisted branches of an old sycamore tree hold the story of good years and bad.  Sometimes the tree has grown straight and strong, sometimes it has been buffetted by storms or burdened with pests and diseases.  Silhouetted against the winter sky, the tree might look dead but experience tells us that it’s only resting.  Look closer and you can see the tightly furled buds, waiting for spring.  Happy New Year!