The treehouse advertised three things.
Abundance.
Warmth.
Welcome.
The sign was beautifully painted.
The wind nearly carried it into another county.
Visitors were encouraged to come by anytime.
The invitation felt generous.
The staircase felt less generous.
It spiraled upward for what appeared to be several emotional stages of personal growth.
A squirrel attempted the climb once.
Halfway up, it stopped to reconsider every friendship it had ever maintained.
By the time it reached the front porch, it no longer remembered why it had come.
The owner greeted everyone warmly from the balcony.
“You’re always welcome here!”
This was technically true.
The door was never locked.
The challenge was reaching it.
Guests often arrived exhausted, confused, and carrying opinions they did not have earlier that morning.
Several birds suggested lowering the house.
The owner explained that true connection required effort.
The birds suggested an elevator.
The owner pretended not to hear them.
During storms, the treehouse swayed dramatically.
The owner described this as “character.”
Visitors described it as “movement in all available directions.”
The welcome sign remained cheerful throughout.
One summer, a rabbit finally reached the front porch.
“Why build it this high?” he asked.
The owner smiled.
“To keep relationships safe.”
The rabbit nodded.
That sounded thoughtful.
Several hours later he realized the owner meant safe for the owner.
A second sign was later added near the staircase.
PLEASE COME IN.
Below it, in smaller letters:
Emotional availability may vary.
The sign became surprisingly popular.
Many visitors appreciated the honesty.
Most climbed halfway, read the sign, and went home.
The owner considered this a tremendous success.
The house remained full of warmth.
The staircase remained full of distance.
And every evening, as the wind rattled the windows and the branches swayed,
the owner stood on the balcony waving enthusiastically at everyone below.
“You’re always welcome here!”
Nobody doubted it.
That was never the issue.
Livora Gracely 
Leave a comment