It has been a busy week. Annual reports, Sunday morning prep for new members, a child’s baptism, pastoral care through visits, phone calls, e-mails and Facebook messenger. I was registered for a full day workshop on Friday the 29th, I withdrew myself, as I realized on Wednesday evening how many things I have to get done before Sunday.
Barely had a day off, and by Saturday afternoon, January 30, around 4 p.m. my head felt full of stuff and I needed fresh air. Thanks to Maya, our Golden Retriever, who was restless and pacing the corridor, I decided to get my coat on and go for a walk. We are so blessed to be living close to the Cataraqui Trail. Got ready and set for a walk.
What a gorgeous afternoon. A little breezy but not frigid. As we start our walk, I started praying for all who are on my mind and in my heart: family, friends, congregants, communities we live in and of course the wider world. Slowly but surely my stuffy head started to open up to the sounds and the presence around me. The crisp snow under my feet gave me the bounce to walk on a cloud and be free from all that is tying me down.
I started to worry a bit about Maya, as she has a sensitive paw and sometimes she cannot stand the cold snow, even though she loves rolling in it and eating it like a slushy. So I started to turn back home. I was quiet and the breeze was becoming audible. I heard rustling, the type that I can hear around Autumn alone. So I stopped and paid attention where it was coming from – all the trees look bare but I found a tree that still had dry leaves on it. The wind was moving it but those leaves were still hanging on to the branches. This is when I had an AHA moment. “It does not matter how dried up we might feel we are still alive and can make our voices heard and touch someone in gentleness”.
I was refreshed, rejuvenated and returned home, only to see my neighbour taking her dog for a walk and we went for another walk with them.
What a joy it is to have peace and be open to our surroundings who are always teaching us a new thing, if we only listen.