A Tree For Robert

By Shannon Hicks

The imagery of a tree includes strength, protectiveness, growth, and stability. A tree’s branches can hold curious children or a rope swing. Its trunk can be home to any number of small animals. Its shade can offer hours of respite on a sunny day.

To plant a tree in the honor of someone is to offer something that is capable of living forever. If a tree can grow forever, so too can the memory of someone live on through the life of a tree.

The Children’s Adventure Center in Sandy Hook planted a tree in its backyard this week for the memory of a little boy who died in February. The maple tree for Robert Abric IV that is now growing on the grounds of the public preschool was planted on April 22.

Robert died on February 11 after fighting for most of his young life against an illness that had weakened his immune system. He had been attending The Children’s Adventure Center since November, and had made friends easily with other students at the preschool. His brother Nazareth, age 4, is also an Adventure Center student.

The tiny sapling, a “Fall Fiesta” sugar maple, has been named Robert’s Tree. Robert’s parents, Robert Abric III and Jeanne Abric, and their daughter Alexandra joined Nazareth at the preschool Tuesday afternoon.

Nora Lundgren, one of Robert’s teachers, gave the Abrics a framed photo of their late son before taking the family outside to see the tree. In the photo young Robert is dressed as a fireman. Mrs Luizzi said playing fireman was one of Robert’s favorite things to do.

Once outside, Mr Abric affixed a small plaque to the sapling that reads Robert’s Tree. Nazareth used his small feet to pat down the dirt that was still loose on the ground around the tree, and his parents gently explained the tree’s significance to him. Alexandra was given a piece of blue ribbon by Mrs Luizzi, which she then tied into a bow around the tree.

“We all knew him quite well,” Adventure Center Director Rose Luizzi said Tuesday afternoon. “It was very traumatic for the family and everyone here at the school –– the children and teachers, and the parents of the children at the school –– when Robert died. We were all very deeply affected by this.”

Mrs Luizzi said the school’s board of directors had decided to plant a tree in Robert’s memory, “to remember such a beautiful little boy. He was such a sweetheart,” she said.

The school chose a maple tree, the director said, “so that we can get maximum shade. Children will be able to sit under this for years to come.”