“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”
Here we sit, for a moment’s time on the cusp of the great annual turning… from dark to light.
A moment to pause and be still.
To be in this moment of rest…
And as I reflect on the time since the last transition of dark to light, it feels a bit of a blur… a foggy memory.
What has 2020 brought us? Any closer to peace or does it all seem be unravelling like an unnoticed dropped stitch or that ball of yarn that escapes, rolling rapidly across the floor picking up all the dust bunnies along the way?
A year ago, I committed to taking photos of the trees… it was to be a photo a month. Yet the more I visited, I knew I had to return. Over and over again which turned out to be more than just a photo a month.
Those trees… oh, those trees. Many a conversation we’ve had throughout the year and much they’ve given me to ponder.
As I stood in front of the trees, other walkers would stop and ask “what do you see up in the trees?” “What are you photographing?”
I’d reply, “the trees, that’s what I see.”
“huh…” and they’d walk on.
The wisdom from the trees…
Here…
January 1, 2020
Just because it looks the same [as January] doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening behind the scenes…
February 2020
There’s always an opening…
March 2020
Allow yourself to feel your emotions
April 2020
Flourish where you are planted…
May 2020
Dance like no one is watching…
June 2020
Even when life seems overwhelming… there’s light.
July 2020
Early mornings are filled with magic…
August 2020
Change can be a good thing…
September 2020
Nature’s way of paying it forward…
October 2020
Let go…
November 2020
Rest, restore, renew…
December 2020
When I look back at the year through the eyes of these trees… I see is beauty, comfort and a place of refuge.
And yes, they too, have weathered a horrific storm, the derecho that ripped through the Midwest on August 10 ripping the crowns from 1000’s of trees. The trees version of the coronavirus (corona = crown)…
Yet, here they are to share their story…
one of beauty and loss,
one of strength and agility,
a story of resiliency and love…
a tale of peace
in place.
Peace tip #20
Each day for the past 19 days, I’ve typed out the numbers of the day. Last night, I read an email saying the solstice was on Monday. I thought “whoops, they have a typo… it’s on Tuesday.” Imagine my surprise when I thought “tomorrow I will write day 20’s post and it’s on a Sunday.” Yikes, Monday is the 21st… I’m not ready for the amazing exchange that has developed in this community to come to a halt. This truly has been an inspirational Project Peace… because of all of you. The sharing of stories, memories, feelings, emotions has been deeply moving. So, I thank everyone for their willingness to engage.
Each tree is an independent being… yet connected in a community. So too, are we… connected and that’s how peace amplifies.
Today…let’s participate in a collective think tank… there are so many ways that trees can represent peace. We’ve shared stories in the past few weeks about trees that are special to us … let’s go beyond the stories.
How do trees represent (symbolize, embody) peace? If you want to get super creative… perhaps think of prompts that correspond with each of the months presented above.
Thank you… from the trees.
Here’s a fun knitting, tree-related activity. I recently discovered the cutest pattern for some knitted trees. I’m hoping to create a forest someday… it will take me awhile. Here is the link to the pattern or even a cute kit from the Shilasdair Yarn on the Isle of Skye.
Updates
2nd give-away recipient announced: Heather Sharp-Keyes!!! please send me an email: thehealthyknitter at gmail dot com Thank you to everyone who continues to post… even if it’s just one time, it’s one additional step to saying “hello to peace.”
3rd give-away revealed on 12/21 (tomorrow). Don’t forget to make a plan for knitting in peace on 12/21… in solitude, a socially-distanced gathering, or a virtual meet-up. Send photos of how you celebrate World wide knit for peace day. I’d love to start a collection of photos!!!!
