Grandmother Willow

I took a walk today. Turkey Swamp Lake and Campground. I didn't know why when I started out, but I knew I had to take a hike and I ended up there. After a sweet encounter with a woman who wants to ride a motorcycle, I headed off towards the lake...well actually towards the playground and then got confused, doubled back and AHHHhh theres the path to the lake.

As I found my way past boaters and picnickers, kids flying kites and couples teaching their children to paddle canoes and then onto the path that led to the open meadow, I felt connected.

I had my "walking companion" ( given to me by a fellow "companion" maker from Michigan ), my western hat to keep the sun off my face, and a peace filled spirit.

I wandered a bit in the meadow, not knowing which way to go. Looking straight up into father sky, deep blue...fluffy clouds...bright warm autumn sun and a cool, fresh breeze, I was happy. Then I saw a tree. She seemed to call to me. I wandered over and sure enough...a willow. She was bent over the bog. She had obviously taken some strong wind, but remained sturdy and strong and alive. Her roots were well into the boggy area, but I noticed a dry,  mounded pathway to her base and I felt as though she just wanted some company, so I accepted her invitation to lay against her, over the bog. She felt solid and happy that I was there.

I swear I heard her say thank you....so I said thank you back. Then she said ( in a spunky old grandmotherly voice ) " You wanna see something?"

It occurred to me that you don't refuse a talking tree anything, so I reverently said "sure".

"Look up" she said. As I raised my eyes to look up into her branches and this tree that had had nothing in it prior to, and upon, my arrival suddenly filled with little finches. "You like birds, I know" she said.

"Thank You, Grandmother Willow."

"You are Welcome, Little One" she said. "Hey, if you are willing to wait patiently I will show you something else."

As I relaxed against her more fully I heard her tell me to be more peaceful, and to look. Several minutes went by and then, to my left and barely visible because of her overhanging branches, I see a white crane. "Isn't she something?" says Grandmother.

Then I asked Grandmother if it could come a bit closer. The next thing I know I hear her call whatever the Crane was feeding on, and immediately the Crane turns to face us and begins her slow, deliberate walk towards us.

It just doesn't get better than that! Evidently, Life Between The Cracks is Sacred Space! WHO KNEW??

xxoo