I removed stones, loosened the roots gently, and lowered the sapling until it stood at the right level.

Then I returned the earth around it, firming it without crushing the space the roots would need.

The job took longer than I expected.

I stopped twice, once to straighten my back and once simply to look at what I was doing.

For months, nearly every task had been connected to what someone else had done.

Statements.

Appointments.

Records.