Finding the way together, apart, again and again: gentle reminders of peace
Reading time: 3 minutes It’s been happy busy, happy exhausting hustle and bustle with work and life.
When I don’t slow down, I feel the exhaust and counterproductive vibes. My emails are juggled and jumbled. The lunch breaks bleed into late afternoon dinner-ish happenings. More than half way through the year and the ride started with so many hoops and loops. Yet, more than ever, I’m accepting that goodness is all around.
The other night, I felt low energy…the blues a bit. It didn’t help that I just read Like a Mother by Angela Garbes. While studying the memoir as I progressed on my own, I was reminded of the interconnection of mother and child even after pregnancy and birth. Garbes shared: the existence of microchimerism in mothers can last a lifetime. Meaning essentially our children’s DNA, and that of mothers and maternal ancestors may also exist within us.
“The reality of microchimerism requires us to reconsider our concept of “self” entirely. We are never alone. We never have been,” said Garbes. I had a little more peace that the days without my son weren't days off, but days I became more on and attune to our connection. It’s a forever kind of connection I feel in body, mind, and spirit. DNA or not, intimacy and connection is possible in so many ways.
Kaiden upside down on the monkey bars and the backdrop of the sun. I love the way the light shines on him.
The morning run
After feeling crestfallen (new word alert!), I ran around the lake. Running is a booster for my day-to-day. While not everyday, 3-4x a week sustains me. Running is life giving. I run with the morning dew against my face and watch the sunrise take its mold.
This run was special and came with a message. I’m the kind of runner that goes unplugged. No airpods, no strings, no music, nothing barricading my wandering thoughts. Just me grasping the fabric of nature. The wind beneath my wings …Shoutout to Bette Midler’s timeless track.
Not even halfway around the lake and there’s a white heron walking across the water. Its movement carried the most meticulous precision; The pace, slow and deliberate. Its gaze suggested watching, waiting, perhaps for a tasty fish. Less than amused, I kept running.
Maybe a quarter mile ahead and I see another heron. I’m thinking it’s just a random occurrence. These animals are notorious for being around lakes anyways. This one also took slow and steady steps across the waters edge. It reminded me of my high school teacher Mr. Braaten. While he didn’t make fun of me, he was keenly aware my walking pace was distinctly slower, quiet, and focused. Ironically, the only math class I felt confident and capable in — the pace: achievable.
Further down the bend, a third heron appeared standing on a tree branch overlooking the water. Like a watchtower, it’s knowing was sure and trusted. The sight revealed a power pose and carried an essence of trust and promise. The fact that I saw three heron’s gave me a sign of balance and synergy. I ran around the rest of the lake with more wonder and curiousity.
Heron on a branch overlooking a body of water. Photo credit: Joshua J. Cotten
I saw the sun…
A sign of good luck and prosperity, herons are associated with bountiful fishing. In Cherokee and other tribes, herons symbolize harmony and peace. Nature gave me a sign. I embraced the message.
I have a number of reasons to celebrate and be at peace with my place in this world. I have countless reasons to keep going.
Image of an up close burnt orange sunflower
Lately, I’m really into forging more intimate platonic relationships. From allowing bonus minutes to play just a little longer, to small talk with the mail carrier, to the person in the check out lane that says “go ahead of me, I don’t mind waiting,” the goodness radiates.
What started as a moment feeling waned, became a moment of feeling seen. Nature called me in, I saw the moment, I received its reminder. There’s countless reminders to choose life in the rough edges of it all. If you’re searching for the reminder, you may find it in nature, and it may be in a least expected messenger too. A gentle reminder that I’m deserving of prosperity, wellness, and love; and no doubt dear one, you are too.
