A female scientist
The author describes seeing herself in her father and wanting to follow in her father's footsteps when she was a child. She describes the disappointment in finding out that she is a girl, feeling and thinking of herself as being something less than a man. Nevertheless, she persisted in following her passion, but it wasn't in the slightest a comfortable experience, being underestimated because she is a woman and never quite receiving the praise she rightfully deserved from her colleagues.
The author's childhood tree
The author recalls the conifer tree in front of her childhood home and how it fought for its survival for many years, and appreciates the precision with which it prepared for winter and came back even stronger in spring. She recalls the irony of the moment when she appreciated that tree; she got a call from her parents telling her the tree died because it stretched its branches too soon.
