Walking with Grandma

There is a part of you that KNOWS it is part of nature. It longs to be outside, walking amongst the trees and breathing fresh air. Your body rejoices when you drink a glass of plain water. Something deep inside you stirs when you hold a rock in your hand and study it. There is a connection every time you look eye-to-eye with a deer or a squirrel or a bird. When you really notice a sunset or even a daylily, you start to recognize the gifts and the reminder to be fully present each moment. Rainbows remind you that life is good. Your pets shower you with unconditional love. And when death comes, the caterpillar teaches us that we shed our old form and become a butterfly! Every day and every night are sacred, each holds within it the potential for great love, peace and joy. Grandmothers throughout time have taught their granddaughters many things. Some are skills they will need as adults, some are basic manners and ways to behave, and some are bits of wisdom handed down from many generations. It is time now to talk about these things again, for some grandmothers themselves have forgotten, and many grandchildren don't have the opportunity to spend quality time with their grandparents. Over time, things change. Society changes. Creative skills are lost from lack of use. The lure of technology is capturing young minds before their hearts have a chance to fall in love with the Earth. Our connection to the natural world is becoming something people did "in the old days". The nature spirits keep waiting for us to approach them, but the days go by and there is no contact. Months go by and no one notices the gifts that await them. Years go by and the magic and enchantment are losing ground. Then, too late, we realize we missed a window of opportunity where the curiosity and openness to discovery has shifted from being outdoors to indoors, and from exploring with our senses and imagination to using hand-held devices and looking at a screen. A walk in the woods seems boring. Looking at a sunset isn't as fun as texting on your phone. Finding the perfect gratitude rock isn't as exciting as finding the video game you've been looking for. As a grandmother,I want to see all children be kind and compassionate, and follow The Golden Rule. I want them to discover the wonders of Nature and feel the joy in recognizing plants and animals as relatives. I want to help them know and understand how important the natural world is. And I want them to get caught up in the magic and miracles that are happening every day all around them if they practice being aware. I know I am here to help restore the wisdom that has been lost or buried for many years. Too many people have forgotten. Too many people are preoccupied with their busy schedules and "important" commitments. It is time now to bring back sacredness for all things, to look at everything as a gift and show our gratitude, and to listen with our hearts and know we are all connected.