You Have to Be There

 The iris bed is in full bloom. Deep blue, lemon yellow and rich burgundy. Held aloft on sturdy three foot stems just the right height in which to cradle a flower in my hands. I place my hands around a blue flower and sink my nose into it. A soft sweet fragrance. I can see the yellow pollen sitting on top of the stamens, lined up in a row, like the lights on a runway, for the bee to follow. The patches of white and streaks of purple enhance the entrance. As I stand here, face buried in the flowers, a catbird lands nearby to pick up a caterpillar. He is so near that I can see the velvety black feathers of his head that blend seamlessly into his gray body. I can see his black eyes and his black beak. He files away.

This iris bed is visible from the house. I have looked at it from a distance this past week, admiring it but too busy with daily work to go out and get close. Until just now. So much to do. Always. The list too often becomes my God. Putting aside the tasks at hand and heeding the call to get close enough to those irises to inhale their color, I am reminded of my goal in life. To be fully present in each moment. To see all that is around me and find God there. I am reminded too that this means making the time. It may rain heavily tomorrow, weighting down those blooms and causing the stems to break.

Life is like the season of Spring. So many plants seem to flower at once. Some will bloom for a few days. Most will last for a week or two. They all will fade and drop. How important it is to make the time to have a cup of coffee with a friend who needs to talk about her failing marriage. To write and mail the thank you note I’ll do when I get the chance. To make rhubarb crisp because my husband likes it. It is in these places and moments that I encounter God. Where life takes on meaning and purpose. May I always heed the garden’s call.

Practicing the Art of Being Fully Present

In July my husband and I stayed overnight in a luxurious bed and breakfast in Durham, NC. It is too bad we were there for only one night. It really is a place to go to spend a few relaxing days. After breakfast we walked around the gardens before heading on our way. I was reminded of our honeymoon. We drove up to Nova Scotia and stayed in bed and breakfasts and country inns. I found that to be a delightful experience. Since that time, which was 27 years ago, Bob and I often discussed owning a b&b in the country some day. Back home from the trip and tending to our gardens, I began thinking about how I could make that dream a reality today. No, it isn't practical to turn our tiny house into a b&b, but what could I do to invite people to enjoy the peace and beauty that I experience while spending time in my gardens?

I was also reading a book called An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor at this time. I found it extremely inspirational and life changing. Chapter Two, entitled The Practice of Paying Attention is what helped me to formulate the retreat. (The seeds of which had already been planted last year while reading The Artist's Rule by Christine Valters Paintner, which is along a similar vein.) I realized that I didn't need a fancy house and immaculate gardens in order to help others see and hear what I do when I am outside. If I love it, won't others as well? I took the chance and offered this one day retreat.

Yesterday, six wonderful women enjoyed their time here. They got to relax, reflect and spend some needed alone time. We did end the day with sharing. It was moving to hear what these women were able to experience from the assignments they were given and the time they spent alone in nature.

 I plan to hold this retreat on a monthly basis from May through September. The women encouraged me to add other themed retreats as they would like to participate again. Follow this link to view some of their comments here.