Throughout my life I’ve been a collector of scars. They are not like the scars I wear on my skin. I have lots of those. Little reminders of foolish mistakes, daring chances and risky behavior that didn’t go the way I planned. The majority of these physical scars that mark my body are here by my own doing. There is no one else to blame. Some of these scars I wear proudly and are reminders of a life well lived.
My condolences on the passing of your daughter and your companion raven. And while your son is alive, you say he "died" that day of his fall and suffered a traumatic brain injury. I understand this; and you bear the scar. I applaud you returning to Nature something beautiful. I believe Nature understands.
On a final note, I view Arya the Cockatiel more than a pet. He is my companion and a sensitive and intelligent being. And I do not have to tell you how loyal avians are.
Robert I cannot tell you how much this has touched me. Planting new life from your scars. I don’t think there is anything more beautiful. Since my dad’s diagnosis I have been teaching myself how to garden, how to bring new life into the world. The forest garden in particular. So I resonate strongly.
Beech trees have such a deep history. In the UK centuries before me, the beech was seen as the Queen of the Woods, the consort to the Oak. She was the feminine counterpart, and just like you said was a symbol of nurture and she as known for her generosity of spirit, her protection. It sounds just the perfect choice for your daughter.
Thank you for that information on the beech and oak. It makes perfect sense. People who are close to the natural world often see things as they truly are in nature. Prayers for you and your dad.
Profoundly touching. I am also realizing what you have already experienced when you say, “It’s as much a privilege to feel sorrow as it is to feel joy”..enjoy nature, the quietness, and your beautiful satchel. It’s a pleasure to follow you.
Robert, condolences for your losses and all blessings for your empathy, peace, and wisdom throughout your life. Your essay shows the strength and perservance that is like a healing hug to all souls who have lost loved ones, are struggling with loss of some place or being- limbed or feathered. Anyone who would like an authentic, compassionate inspirational reminder, to be a "seeder" for change and growth, read The Woodlands of Ivor! Bravo! And, thank you for recommending/ supporting my work, and Wildlands enthusiastically recommends The Woodlands of Ivor! Thank you, kindred soul!
Life is so full of tragedy, how do we possibly get through it to live another day. I personally can relate almost identically to the traumas and losses in your life. I wrote about the night I thought I lost my son, finding him unconscious and administering him life saving techniques while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.(I since removed this story, too personal, too painful) Like you I have decided to plant new possibility, to find the beauty in the world, to deal with the trauma of suffering and loss with Loving the animals, the wilderness, Nature in all it's astonishing amazement. I have rescued many dogs from the streets of the city. Abandoned, starved, neglected, and severely abused. It can be overwhelming the pain in this world, the unnecessary suffering, the loss of the ones we love, the torture of one dying in agony. I've seen it all. Most recently I wrote about the Magnificent SunFLOWER, and the seeds of possibility, that each Sunflower plants, while it strives in Clay soil to bring forth the best, to fertilize the world in which it was born with a new idea, a new hope, a new joy, something stronger. Tonight our family gathers around another dear one, Little Jenna who came into our lives 10 years ago, wandering the streets, starving, having recently weened her pups, abandoned, but still wearing a collar of her suppressors. She stopped eating last Friday. She still is drinking water when we bring it to her bed. Today the vet told us she has a huge tumor on her spleen. We will keep her comfortable until we cannot, and then we will help her leave this world of suffering... giving her the only thing that matters in this world... OUR LOVE.
Thank you for your bravery and empathy through your suffering. Rescuing animals is such a worthy endeavor. We do wildlife re-hab here and take in everything brought to our door. Your writing sounds like something I would be interested in reading. I appreciate your story and of course understand the trauma of the events surrounding your son.
Thank you Robert for your response. There is nothing more enjoyable when we can help another living being, especially one in need. It turns out I am so often presented with the animals in the world, they seem to find me, come into my yard, my neighborhood, now neighbors call me when they see an animal in distress. Anyway, if you make it to my page, I am sure you will like my many posts on Nature! So wonderful to hear of others who care for the animals! Grateful for your work and dedication to the animals, and your love for Nature.
Thanks for this wonderful commentary, Robert. I experienced an exercise similar to one you described from your time as a pastor when I converted to Catholicism many years ago. It was worthwhile in many respects, and I still reflect on it from time to time, which prompts me to repeat it with newer things that need to be dealt with. I will say a prayer for your endeavors!
My condolences on the passing of your daughter and your companion raven. And while your son is alive, you say he "died" that day of his fall and suffered a traumatic brain injury. I understand this; and you bear the scar. I applaud you returning to Nature something beautiful. I believe Nature understands.
On a final note, I view Arya the Cockatiel more than a pet. He is my companion and a sensitive and intelligent being. And I do not have to tell you how loyal avians are.
Thank you for your empathy Perry.
Robert I cannot tell you how much this has touched me. Planting new life from your scars. I don’t think there is anything more beautiful. Since my dad’s diagnosis I have been teaching myself how to garden, how to bring new life into the world. The forest garden in particular. So I resonate strongly.
Beech trees have such a deep history. In the UK centuries before me, the beech was seen as the Queen of the Woods, the consort to the Oak. She was the feminine counterpart, and just like you said was a symbol of nurture and she as known for her generosity of spirit, her protection. It sounds just the perfect choice for your daughter.
Thank you for wonderful writing.
Thank you for that information on the beech and oak. It makes perfect sense. People who are close to the natural world often see things as they truly are in nature. Prayers for you and your dad.
Cue the waterworks....this is one of your very best confessions, ever.
Profoundly touching. I am also realizing what you have already experienced when you say, “It’s as much a privilege to feel sorrow as it is to feel joy”..enjoy nature, the quietness, and your beautiful satchel. It’s a pleasure to follow you.
Thank you Kathy.
Robert, condolences for your losses and all blessings for your empathy, peace, and wisdom throughout your life. Your essay shows the strength and perservance that is like a healing hug to all souls who have lost loved ones, are struggling with loss of some place or being- limbed or feathered. Anyone who would like an authentic, compassionate inspirational reminder, to be a "seeder" for change and growth, read The Woodlands of Ivor! Bravo! And, thank you for recommending/ supporting my work, and Wildlands enthusiastically recommends The Woodlands of Ivor! Thank you, kindred soul!
Thank you for those kind words of support Robin.
Life is so full of tragedy, how do we possibly get through it to live another day. I personally can relate almost identically to the traumas and losses in your life. I wrote about the night I thought I lost my son, finding him unconscious and administering him life saving techniques while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.(I since removed this story, too personal, too painful) Like you I have decided to plant new possibility, to find the beauty in the world, to deal with the trauma of suffering and loss with Loving the animals, the wilderness, Nature in all it's astonishing amazement. I have rescued many dogs from the streets of the city. Abandoned, starved, neglected, and severely abused. It can be overwhelming the pain in this world, the unnecessary suffering, the loss of the ones we love, the torture of one dying in agony. I've seen it all. Most recently I wrote about the Magnificent SunFLOWER, and the seeds of possibility, that each Sunflower plants, while it strives in Clay soil to bring forth the best, to fertilize the world in which it was born with a new idea, a new hope, a new joy, something stronger. Tonight our family gathers around another dear one, Little Jenna who came into our lives 10 years ago, wandering the streets, starving, having recently weened her pups, abandoned, but still wearing a collar of her suppressors. She stopped eating last Friday. She still is drinking water when we bring it to her bed. Today the vet told us she has a huge tumor on her spleen. We will keep her comfortable until we cannot, and then we will help her leave this world of suffering... giving her the only thing that matters in this world... OUR LOVE.
Thank you for your bravery and empathy through your suffering. Rescuing animals is such a worthy endeavor. We do wildlife re-hab here and take in everything brought to our door. Your writing sounds like something I would be interested in reading. I appreciate your story and of course understand the trauma of the events surrounding your son.
Thank you Robert for your response. There is nothing more enjoyable when we can help another living being, especially one in need. It turns out I am so often presented with the animals in the world, they seem to find me, come into my yard, my neighborhood, now neighbors call me when they see an animal in distress. Anyway, if you make it to my page, I am sure you will like my many posts on Nature! So wonderful to hear of others who care for the animals! Grateful for your work and dedication to the animals, and your love for Nature.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this wonderful commentary, Robert. I experienced an exercise similar to one you described from your time as a pastor when I converted to Catholicism many years ago. It was worthwhile in many respects, and I still reflect on it from time to time, which prompts me to repeat it with newer things that need to be dealt with. I will say a prayer for your endeavors!
Thank you James.