Testimonials

Below are notes sent from the contact page of this site. They are shared with permission from the writer.Thank you for your comments, Will

Krystal from Tyler, Texas wrote: I am from Texas. I came to Columbia to visit my boyfriend. Before I came up there he had told me about this tree that had a bunch of lights on it. I thought to myself… Okay so its a tree with lights on it.. Big deal. Well, when I got there, he really wanted me to see it. So on Saturday, March 1st. He drove me to your tree… I was in total shock. The Magic tree was simply amazing. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I was sad that I didn’t have my little boy there with me, so that he could see this amazing tree. Hopefully, you will have the tree up again next year so that I will have to chance to show my son. He would love it. You have done a wonderful job on this tree. Thank you for adding something so beautiful to the world.

Bridgit of Fairview Heights, Illinois wrote: The first time my husband took me to see the Magic Tree, I was absolutely overwhelmed. It simply leaves one breathless. This last Christmas I took a picture of the Unity Tree with my cell phone and it is now my dominate picture. I have shared it with all my friends and encouraged them to make the trip to Columbia to see the trees and enjoy the beauty and majesty these trees can provide. It’s worth the trip!!

Frank of Milford, New Hampshire wrote: I am very impressed. Now that Christmas has passed and we have time to
catch our breath, I have been looking at your web page. I like your thoughts and you have certainly thought carefully and deeply. The power that moves us is a mystery, but it is revealed to all and it can be very close.
I love what you are doing.

Doug of Columbia wrote: This Christmas I gave my wife Sallie a poem which as you can see is a tribute to the Magic Tree. the poem is shaped like a tree. Many thanks.

The
Magic Tree

The lights are many to bring such smiles
with people coming to see from lots of miles

For it is not just the many of colors and lights
but the feeling it brings as it comes into our sights

It stands alone but is never lonely on the small road bend
as the hearts that see the Magic Tree are forever its friend

The pictures taken are frequent and varied of times and view
but it is our mind and soul that is touched forever by the glowing hue

As its lighted branches reach out so wide to almost symbolize our very life veins
with us hoping our stories are told and our memories are many from holding our reins..

So it is this holiday time of year that the Magic Tree brings us all to where we need to be
so button your coat and make that curvy drive while bringing your thoughts and cheer to see

the Magic Tree.

Kay of Boonville, MO wrote: Will and family,
I heard about your tree through the grapevine, I took my mother (80) and daughter (12) to see this tree. I was speechless along with my mother and daughter. When viewing the tree a calmness surrounded the area and it was very peaceful. Please do not stop, if possible, it brings such joy to young and old. I would love to see this tree in every town in America and anyone would be able to see this wonderful magic you have created.

Mary from Columbia, MO wrote: I have suffered for 6 years with a fibromyalgia. This casuses me constant daily pain for which doctors have yet to find relief, and their remains no cure. Out of all the treatments, shots, medications, and tests, nothing gave me more hope than this tree. I truly believe it is magic. I rarely ever get out of the house unless it is to go to the doctor because of the great pain that movement causes my muscles and joints. But this was becoming unbearable, to be shut in, so my husband began taking me on a short nightly drive after he would come home from work at night. I asked him to take me to this tree after my parents telling me of it. My mom knows that one of my favorite things is the light of a Christmas tree. After staring at the tree in disbelief, I returned home. Upon coming home, I stood in my kitchen and sobbed uncontrollably because I realized the while I looked in amazement at this “magic” tree, I was in no pain. For the first time in 6 years I had realized minutes without pain, which for me, may as well be days. I realized that I had been blessed to know of the tree and only hope that others will go, look, stare. Don’t think, just do. Now every night, my husband drives me to see the tree and we will do this every night that it is lit. And every night, I make a donation. They are small, usually just change, but trust me if I had millions to donate, it would be worth it for a few moments in the presence of this wonder.

Will Treelighter’s response: I am so happy that you have had such an experience with the Magic Tree. It reminds me of my own experience with the great white pine that I describe in this year’s flier. What we must remember is that the experience comes from our own inner resources to heal ourselves. There may be something on the outside that serves as a catalyst to initiate and help us break through our own self made barriers but it is our own ability to look, see and respond with wonder that I believe relieves pain whether it be physical like yours or emotionally and mentally based as mine was.

The Magic Tree is nothing more than a collection of wire and colored electric light mounted on the frame of a crabapple tree. The magic, perhaps, is in the arrangement designed to be loudly beautiful because we

tend to be deaf to beauty because of all the pain we are in. But when we sincerely seek out beauty even where none is perceived at first we will find that it is in every nook and cranny of our lives.

Beauty is the signature of that Absolute, Perfect, Unconditional Love that brought the universe into being. It is resident to every atom, resident to each one of us. It gets hidden though, by our perception of pain whether it be physical, emotional or mental. When we notice beauty we are tapping into the power of the universe that resides within us and the perception of pain begins to unravel.

I find it gratifying that you find blessing and freedom from pain at the Magic Tree. But I would hate to think of you as dependent upon it for something that I believe comes from within you. Experiment with noticing the beauty in each nook and cranny, in each moment of time with the sincere desire to find what it is you seek – beauty. Be detached from results, and see if the magic can happen any time, anywhere.

God bless.
Love’s everything

Minnie from Kirksville, MO wrote: I JUST HAD TO WRITE YOU ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL, GLORYOUS TREE. I WAS IN COLUMBIA SHOPPING WITH MY FAMILY WHEN MY 13 YEAR OLD GRANDSON ASKED IF HE COULD TAKE ME TO SEE A TREE…THE MAGIC TREE! AT FIRST I THOUGHT, I’M TRIED,I JUST WANT TO GET IN FROM THE WEATHER AND THE CROWDS AND REST.I AM SO GLAD I WENT!!! AFTERWARDS I TOLD OUR DAUGHTER ABOUT IT. SHE IS ILL.FOR 6 YEARS SHE HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE WITHOUT MUCH LET UP ON HER,HER FAMILY AND EVERYONE ELSE AROUND WHO LOVES HER. SHE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, DAUGHTER, WONDERFUL MOM AND WIFE.WHO IS, FOR NOW, RESIDED TO BE A HOME BOUND PERSON MOST OF HER TIME.SHE HAS 4 DEGREES AND IS A INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER. BUT HER HEALTH HAS STOPPED HER WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE TO A HUGE DEGREE FOR NOW. HER GRAND FATHER IS A BAPTIST MINISTER AND IS 84 YEARS OLD. HE JUST RETIRED THIS PAST JULY FROM HIS BELOVED CHURCH.HOWEVER HE STILL FILLS IN IF NEEDED AND DOES FUNERALS UPON REQUESTS FROM THE PERSONS FAMILY.AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, A MINISTER NEVER REALLY RETIRES!!WELL AFTER I TOLD HER ABOUT THE MAGIC TREE, HER HUSBAND BRAD CAME HOME AND SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO SEE IT. HE USUALLY TAKES HER FOR A RIDE EVERY NIGHT JUST FOR A SHORT TIME TO GET OUT.WHEN SHE SAW IT AND SAT DOWN, SHE STARED AND STARED AT IT SHE TOLD US….AND LIKE THE TREES NAME MAGIC HAPPENED SHE SAID, BECAUSE WHILE SHEWAS WATCHING IT SHE REALIZED SHE HAD NO PAIN AND ALL HER WORRIES VANISHED FOR A SHORT TIME!!! SHE CAME BACK TO HER HOUSE AND BURST OUT CRYING ABOUT IT. ….SO THANK YOU FROM ME, HER MOM AND HER DAD SOOOO VERY, VERY MUCH. GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, DOES HE NOT??

Will Treelighter’s response: Thank you for telling me about your daughter and her experience. It sounds like she has had a similar experience to the one I described in this year’s flier. I have been hoping and praying that people who desire such a release would recieve it and so I’m very glad to hear about it. I believe beauty, when we notice it, taps us into its source which is Absolute Perfect Unconditional Love. This I believe powers the entire universe and is the source of all things. Therefore it can be found any where, any time in any thing for those with the eyes to see it. It is up to us to develope those seeing eyes by looking for this APU Love in every nook and cranny. When done with sincerity of spirit, honesty of mind and detatchment (Maitreya’s nutshell formula for self realization) our eyes are opened and fear and pain are released like magic, but actually the magic is quite simply APU Love and that lives with in us as well as everywhere else we dare to look for it.

Charla from Higbe, MO wrote: A friend from Jefferson City brought myself and another friend by last evening to view the magic tree. I can only call it that because we just watched in wonder at the tree. Barb had kept telling us that for the past 4 years she had made a point to see this awesome sight that she couldn’t begin to describe it and she wanted to share it with us. As we made the turn onto your street Peggy said ” It’s a TREE”. But as we came up on the tree we just stared in wonder. As I am sure others have told you; we all felt different things. But I felt that you gave me a very special gift. “LOVE” It make me feel good, it made me excited and it gave me inspiration. I had a wonderful evening with friends and the magic tree made me truly feel the magic of the Christmas season. I couldn’t wait to go home and share your web site with my daughter and will bring my grandchildren back to see the tree. This morning my first act, at work, was to share this web site with my fellow employees. Whom all live in Columbia and had not heard of the magic tree. God Bless you for your continued faith and diligence in creating, each year, such a work of art and wonder……The Magic Tree.

Danielle from New Florence, MO wrote: I truly believe this is amazing. I had a friend send me a text telling me to check this site and at first I was not going to. I am so happy I did. We need more people like you in this world. People who believe in the spirt of faith hope and love. The time it takes you to do this I can only imagion. Everyday you hear of all the bad in this world to day I think if the news and papers started talking and showing things about people like you maybe the people would focse on better in life then all the crime today. Thank you

From Shannon of Columbia – William, you are one crazy mother trucker. But i love that tree man. I hope you got over those anxiety attacks with the pin ball machines. Your tree is the light that keeps the anti christ from invading my heart. Thank you! I love your tree mr. Treelighter. Keep up the crazy and keep up the lights.

Will Treelighter’s response: Remember the Magic Tree is but an object. The true light shines from

within your own Self. I’m glad you like the tree.

From Daniel of Columbia,

Your tree is so cool.Me my mom And my dad goes every year to see it.You have so much talent.I would not have the pachenits to do it.

From Carol of Columbia, Boone County, MO:

I have been to the Magic Tree every year since I found out about it. It is totally awe inspiring. It just makes you feel good. I saw William @ the Roots & Blues and BBQ Festival in downtown Columbia on Saturday 9/8/07. I bought one of your postcards with the tree and hope to purchase a print soon. Again – it’s just breathtaking. Thank you so much for doing this for yourself and for us to enjoy.