Tree Dancer

Its one thing to like trees and quite another to throw birthday parties for them; unless, of course, it happens to be a very special Tree. One that happens to be Matthew Kansas best friend, confidant, guardian of secrets, daydreams and supplier of privacy and solitude. Into his tree house of forty years, the retired art teacher retreats to find inspiration for his artistic bent, escape from a loveless marriage and a haven against the hate of Nancy, his daughter, who blames his arboreal relationship for the death of her mother. Attempting to destroy the tree during a thunderstorm, Nancy falls victim to her rage and dies beneath the weight of a huge fallen branch of the giant walnut tree. After Matthew elects to have the tree destroyed, it plunges him into psychosomatic oblivion. Remorse and self-incrimination drive him into a period of deep depression. Allison Henry, a world famous connoisseur of art, recognizing Matthews extraordinary artistic talent, paves the way for his recovery and eventual conversion to the Catholic Faith through determination, love and the influence of her hard-nosed, no nonsense mother, dedicating her considerable influence and charm to bringing Matthew out of his deep, self-imposed isolation and guilt. Persuaded to recover out west at her wealthy mothers ranch, Matthew finds his world being shaped into an appreciation for things hed never known, both physical and spiritual. A gallery showing in New York and a monastic encounter in Arizona brings both heart and soul to a full, never before experienced, appreciation of life and love.