There are moments in our life that emotionally move us and renew our faith in human kindness, giving, and our connection to each other and the natural world in which we live. Most of these occurrences seem to happen most often in our personal lives rather than our professional ones. For me, these two worlds are inextricably linked because my professional life is fueled by the same passion, principles, and determination as my personal one.
The story I am about to tell is one that I carry with me and think back to quite often because it reminds me that we volunteer and give our time and resources to others or a cause, not because we are expecting something in return or to receive some acknowledgment. We do it because we know that what we have to give will make a difference, whether it’s someone’s life, a place, or an issue we are advocating for. Although this particular story deeply touched me, I want to acknowledge that one of the reasons I have been at the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC) for 9 years and still feel passionate about my job is because there are so many of you that give of yourselves and are selfless with your time to make Forest Park a better, healthier place and continue to have unwavering support for the critical work FPC does.
I first met Darsee at a coffee shop over two years ago, where we talked about possible ways to remember her late husband Dave with some sort of memorial in FPC’s Ancient Preserve. Something simple that would remind her of the times they spent together and a place where she and others could go, sit quietly and reflect amongst the great 500-year-old giant trees.
Not long into the conversation, she pulled out a picture of a bench that had been installed downtown as one of the winners in a contest that incorporated nature into their bench design. She said, “this is exactly the kind of bench I was thinking of.” At the time, I was thinking, “how can I possibly get anyone to replicate a bench like this, a one of a kind, unique, handcrafted bench that expands to allow a tree to grow through the center of it”? This must have taken months to build, not to mention labor and materials costs.
So, I decided to ask the designer and maker himself, Kyle Trulen, and his wife, Alyssa. I explained Darsee’s story and asked just how much a bench like this would cost. “Just the materials and a few tools for the construction and we will volunteer our time to make it,” Kyle said. For those of you who have ever made something that required hundreds of pieces to be cut with exact, accurate measurements and then put together, you understand the time and labor it takes to make something like this.
Kyle and Alyssa spent several months, every weekend, replicating their original contest-winning bench for a person they had never met before. It is, by far, the most beautiful, unique bench I have ever seen. It’s not just the physical appearance that makes this bench amazing. It’s the heart, time, and energy wrapped up in every intricate piece that makes this bench special.
After two years of organizing the project and being halted by COVID-19, we were finally able to install the bench, thanks to Kyle, Darsee, and our Green Jobs Team! Darsee was so generous, allowing us to share her emotional ceremony of planting a special tree in memory of Dave.
The tree will continue to grow up and over this amazing bench, taking its place amongst the wise, old-growth giants. And if you sit and listen carefully, you just might hear them whispering their stories like a slight breeze that rustles through the trees.
Thank you again to Kyle and Alyssa who made this special day possible and to Darsee, for your patience, generosity, and quiet wisdom. To the Green Jobs team who carried each section of this bench weighing over 200 lbs to its resting site…you are amazing!!
~Renée Myers
Kyle Trulen and his wife Alyssa 
