I was remembering today about visits to my paternal grandmother, Nana. When my cousins and I were children, we were always excited about waking up each morning at Nana's house because she had a fairy tree in the woods.
This famous fairy tree was, and still is, a lovely dogwood tree with a hollowed out place where the tree trunk split early in its life. Every morning when we were visiting with Nana, we would hurry excitedly out to the fairy tree to see what presents the fairy left the night before while we slept.
What a magical thing to imprint on the mind of children! Roaming the woods near Nana's home, it was a safe place, a happy place. Here we could commune with Nature. I'm so grateful for that magic she brought into our lives.
A few months ago, a friend gave me a garden fairy figure that now graces my living room. A collection of flower fairies prints compliments it.
Today, I still enjoy my times in Nature. Watching the birds and squirrels frolic in my garden each day, and taking walks in the Congaree Swamp or along the Columbia Canal, brings me much peace and happiness.
St. Francis used the words "Pax et Bonum", "Peace and Goodness", in his writings. Small wonder that I find such comfort in the words of St. Francis, renowned for his love of Nature and the animal kingdom.
On that note, I'll leave you with a small present from St. Bernard. And all our friends in Nature.
"You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters."
St. Bernard (Bernard of Clairvaux) - Epistle, French Abbot and Saint
