Roots & Wings Online
Article by Janet Fransila, Ladera Ranch resident. Right at the center of Big Deb’s main trunk is a fascinating illusion. You have to stand in a specific spot to see it, but there it is – a beautiful and slightly elongated shape of a heart! I call it the 'Heart of Ladera'.
By Janet Fransila,
Ladera Ranch resident
No matter where you live in Ladera Ranch, you’ve likely had the pleasure of visiting the park at Town Green. Since moving from Vancouver, Canada to Ladera in 2002, I have loved that park, and I visit every day to walk my dog. The beautiful grounds are perfectly manicured and create a serene oasis in the midst of our township.
Bordering Town Green on the
corner of First and Mercantile sits an enormous old California Oak tree which
was planted as Ladera was being built in late 1999. Like anchor in the community
the oak tree is surrounded by a circular black wrought iron fence. Able to see
her from my kitchen window that massive old oak tree has come to mean so much
to me. Twelve years ago, I named her "Big Deb” after Debbie from
Victoria, Canada, a lady I met in the early 90's when we were in the hospital,
both very ill. Physically challenged, Debbie never let her condition get the
best of her; she is always so positive about life.
I named her "Big” for her size and "Deb” in honor of my friend. Over the years, I’ve told many kids who play around her, that her name is Big Deb. Children always remember stuff like that. Maybe they’ll carry on the name into the future when I am long gone.
One early morning two years ago,
while grieving the loss of our beloved Yorkshire Terrier, I walked around Town
Green feeling really sad. As I walked along the diagonal path, leading from the
gazebo up to Big Deb I looked up at her and saw something that was quite
astonishing that I had never noticed in the thousands of times that I had
circled her. Right at the center of Big Deb’s main trunk is a fascinating
illusion. You have to stand in a specific spot to see it, but there it is – a
beautiful and slightly elongated shape of a heart! My own heart skipped a beat.
We will be leaving California in a little over a year, and I know I am going to cry when I have to say goodbye to the Town Green, and Big Deb! For me, Town Green Park and Big Deb are indeed the Heart of Ladera Ranch.◘
"Big Deb" during the holidays in December.
