All month long, I will be highlighting a RWISA author and one of his/her new works. RWISA is an international society of excellent writers, and I encourage you to get to know more about them. Today, I will be sharing "Nature Speaks" by Karen Ingalls. :-)
NATURE
SPEAKS
Why
did my life spiral into darkness in a second? One minute I am married to my
soulmate, a mother to a beautiful daughter, and owner of a successful
bookstore. My friends asked me, “How do you have the perfect life? It is
so easy for you.” They were right. I had the perfect life.
We
had our first and only child, Lynn, who also loved classical music and dreamed
of being a ballet dancer.
One
Saturday morning, my life changed forever. I had awakened with a migraine
headache, which was intolerable. It was best if I stayed in a dark, quiet room
until the medication relieved the blinding pain.
My
husband, Miles, volunteered to run the bookstore that fateful day. “Lynn and I
can manage the bookstore today. You stay home and take care of the headache.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “I love you,” were the last words I would hear
him say.
I
curled up, closed my eyes, and waited for the pain to go away.
A
pounding on the front door and the continuous ringing of the bell awakened me.
“This had better be important,” I muttered while staggering down the
stairs. Two police officers with grim looks were standing on the porch. I
collapsed when the words, fire, death, husband, daughter floated
around my confused mind.
My once
perfect life was unbearable with the memories of it everywhere. I sold
everything, bought a second-hand Volkswagen Beetle, and drove west with just
the clothes on my back and a photograph of Miles, Lynn and me. I didn’t
know where I was going, but I didn’t care.
The
small cabin in the foothills of Costa Mesa, California overlooking the Pacific
Ocean was my new residence. It was not a home. It was a place to sleep, eat and
try to escape from my past.
The
land was arid with brush, oak trees, scattered thistle weeds, and clay
soil. Every evening, I walked down a short path from the cabin to a flattened
area where I sat under a large oak tree and watched the sun dip into the ocean.
One day at dusk, I leaned against the tree, closed my eyes and dreamed
that Miles arms were around me while we watched Lynn ballet dance on a large
stage. I could hear the music of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
When
I awoke there were two limbs embracing me, and leaves and acorns were swirling
around creating Tchaikovsky’s music. “Am I still dreaming?” The bark of
the trunk and the limbs was rough and uncomfortable. I squirmed and pulled at
the limbs. “What is happening? This is crazy.” I yelled for someone to help me,
but the only words I heard were not human.
Ginny,
you are a strong woman. Use your strength to get through this storm in your
life.
I
pulled the limbs off, jumped up, and looked around expecting to see
someone nearby. “Is anyone here?” I yelled again. Everything was quiet. A full
moon radiated light around me.
Staring
at the tree, I brushed my clothes, scratched my head, and said, “That was
quite a dream, but how did those limbs wrap around me?” I shook my head trying
to clear the confusion. “It was a beautiful dream of Miles and Lynn. I miss
them so much.” With the sleeve of my sweater I wiped the tears. “I’ve got to
get hold of myself. I’m losing my mind.”
The
voice said. That was not a dream. I am here to help you.
“Oh,
my God, I am going crazy. Trees don’t talk.”
Ginny,
you are not going crazy. All trees talk, but humans do not listen. Do you
remember your friend, Meredith, who told you she talks to trees?
I
nodded. “How do you…?”
I
saw a friendly face of a kind, elderly man etched in the trunk. Every flora
and fauna communes with humans, but they are too busy or unbelieving to listen
and learn from us.
I
fell to my knees, grabbed a handful of soil, and watched it slowly stream out
of my clenched fist. “This was my life. Time was going by with no
troubles.” I opened my fist and let the soil out in one burst. “Then
everything changed. My life was never the same. It is now an empty hand.” I
sobbed and my whole body shook.
You
are strong. Your faith is like my roots: stretching wide and going deep.
The
limbs stretched out, wrapped around my shoulders and leaned me against the
trunk. Miles and Lynn are speaking to you through me.
Then
I heard them say, We love you and will always be with you. Follow your
heart.
The
limbs were gentle and comforting. The rough bark was now smooth. My tears dried
up, and I drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep.
The
warm and bright rays of the morning sun radiated through the tree’s canopy
bringing warmth to my body nestled against the oak tree. Standing up, I
stretched and looked out at the blue waters of the Pacific marveling at its
majesty and beauty. I smiled as the words follow your heart floated
around. “Wow! That was quite a dream.”
I
walked a few steps on the path back towards the cabin. I stopped and looked
back at the oak tree. “It might have all been a dream, but thank you.”
A
thistle plant with its purple flower in full bloom was further up the
path. I stopped. “You are beautiful, but your spikes are sharp.”
The
spikes turned inward. Do not let fear hold you back.
I
couldn’t believe what was happening. “Now I hear a flower talking to me. I am
going crazy.”
The
thistle plant swayed back and forth though there was no breeze. It bent forward
bringing its flower near my hands. Touch me and accept my gift of peace.
I
placed my hand on the purple flower and a deep sense of serenity swept over me.
For the first time since the deaths of my family I was at peace. I whispered
“Thank you.”
A
short distance from the cabin porch, I saw the white silken top of a trapdoor
spider’s home. I did not remember seeing it before and bent down to get a
closer look. The trapdoor opened and a dark spider poked his head out. I
stumbled as I tried to jump back.
The
spider was small and ugly with fine hairs covering its dark brown body. He was
frightening to look at, but his kind words put me at ease. You have
walked by many doors, but you didn’t open them.
“What
is going on? I am hallucinating with all these voices in my head.”
You
are not hallucinating. Your family is talking to you through the oak tree, the
thistle and me. The spider moved back into his home
and closed the trapdoor.
For
days I paced around the cabin, reliving each moment and the words about
strength, peace, and opportunities. I prayed and cried. I read about
mysticism and nature.
One
morning, I awoke and saw Miles and Lynn standing beside my bed. We will
always be with you in your heart. Let nature continue to teach you.
The
magnificent oak tree taught how to be strong of body, mind, and heart. Staying
healthy and opening my arms to others became my ways of living.
I
found beauty in my life and other people after removing my thorns of bitterness
and self-pity.
My
cabin was a trap shutting out people until I opened its doors and
made it a home and retreat center. I added rooms for guests to stay
and classrooms for teaching.
I
called my new endeavor Nature Speaks, helping people to commune
with and learn from all aspects of nature. When people open their hearts and
minds to nature there are opportunities for a richer life.
NATURE
SPEAKS
Why
did my life spiral into darkness in a second? One minute I am married to my
soulmate, a mother to a beautiful daughter, and owner of a successful
bookstore. My friends asked me, “How do you have the perfect life? It is
so easy for you.” They were right. I had the perfect life.
We
had our first and only child, Lynn, who also loved classical music and dreamed
of being a ballet dancer.
One
Saturday morning, my life changed forever. I had awakened with a migraine
headache, which was intolerable. It was best if I stayed in a dark, quiet room
until the medication relieved the blinding pain.
My
husband, Miles, volunteered to run the bookstore that fateful day. “Lynn and I
can manage the bookstore today. You stay home and take care of the headache.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “I love you,” were the last words I would hear
him say.
I
curled up, closed my eyes, and waited for the pain to go away.
A
pounding on the front door and the continuous ringing of the bell awakened me.
“This had better be important,” I muttered while staggering down the
stairs. Two police officers with grim looks were standing on the porch. I
collapsed when the words, fire, death, husband, daughter floated
around my confused mind.
My once
perfect life was unbearable with the memories of it everywhere. I sold
everything, bought a second-hand Volkswagen Beetle, and drove west with just
the clothes on my back and a photograph of Miles, Lynn and me. I didn’t
know where I was going, but I didn’t care.
The
small cabin in the foothills of Costa Mesa, California overlooking the Pacific
Ocean was my new residence. It was not a home. It was a place to sleep, eat and
try to escape from my past.
The
land was arid with brush, oak trees, scattered thistle weeds, and clay
soil. Every evening, I walked down a short path from the cabin to a flattened
area where I sat under a large oak tree and watched the sun dip into the ocean.
One day at dusk, I leaned against the tree, closed my eyes and dreamed
that Miles arms were around me while we watched Lynn ballet dance on a large
stage. I could hear the music of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
When
I awoke there were two limbs embracing me, and leaves and acorns were swirling
around creating Tchaikovsky’s music. “Am I still dreaming?” The bark of
the trunk and the limbs was rough and uncomfortable. I squirmed and pulled at
the limbs. “What is happening? This is crazy.” I yelled for someone to help me,
but the only words I heard were not human.
Ginny,
you are a strong woman. Use your strength to get through this storm in your
life.
I
pulled the limbs off, jumped up, and looked around expecting to see
someone nearby. “Is anyone here?” I yelled again. Everything was quiet. A full
moon radiated light around me.
Staring
at the tree, I brushed my clothes, scratched my head, and said, “That was
quite a dream, but how did those limbs wrap around me?” I shook my head trying
to clear the confusion. “It was a beautiful dream of Miles and Lynn. I miss
them so much.” With the sleeve of my sweater I wiped the tears. “I’ve got to
get hold of myself. I’m losing my mind.”
The
voice said. That was not a dream. I am here to help you.
“Oh,
my God, I am going crazy. Trees don’t talk.”
Ginny,
you are not going crazy. All trees talk, but humans do not listen. Do you
remember your friend, Meredith, who told you she talks to trees?
I
nodded. “How do you…?”
I
saw a friendly face of a kind, elderly man etched in the trunk. Every flora
and fauna communes with humans, but they are too busy or unbelieving to listen
and learn from us.
I
fell to my knees, grabbed a handful of soil, and watched it slowly stream out
of my clenched fist. “This was my life. Time was going by with no
troubles.” I opened my fist and let the soil out in one burst. “Then
everything changed. My life was never the same. It is now an empty hand.” I
sobbed and my whole body shook.
You
are strong. Your faith is like my roots: stretching wide and going deep.
The
limbs stretched out, wrapped around my shoulders and leaned me against the
trunk. Miles and Lynn are speaking to you through me.
Then
I heard them say, We love you and will always be with you. Follow your
heart.
The
limbs were gentle and comforting. The rough bark was now smooth. My tears dried
up, and I drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep.
The
warm and bright rays of the morning sun radiated through the tree’s canopy
bringing warmth to my body nestled against the oak tree. Standing up, I
stretched and looked out at the blue waters of the Pacific marveling at its
majesty and beauty. I smiled as the words follow your heart floated
around. “Wow! That was quite a dream.”
I
walked a few steps on the path back towards the cabin. I stopped and looked
back at the oak tree. “It might have all been a dream, but thank you.”
A
thistle plant with its purple flower in full bloom was further up the
path. I stopped. “You are beautiful, but your spikes are sharp.”
The
spikes turned inward. Do not let fear hold you back.
I
couldn’t believe what was happening. “Now I hear a flower talking to me. I am
going crazy.”
The
thistle plant swayed back and forth though there was no breeze. It bent forward
bringing its flower near my hands. Touch me and accept my gift of peace.
I
placed my hand on the purple flower and a deep sense of serenity swept over me.
For the first time since the deaths of my family I was at peace. I whispered
“Thank you.”
A
short distance from the cabin porch, I saw the white silken top of a trapdoor
spider’s home. I did not remember seeing it before and bent down to get a
closer look. The trapdoor opened and a dark spider poked his head out. I
stumbled as I tried to jump back.
The
spider was small and ugly with fine hairs covering its dark brown body. He was
frightening to look at, but his kind words put me at ease. You have
walked by many doors, but you didn’t open them.
“What
is going on? I am hallucinating with all these voices in my head.”
You
are not hallucinating. Your family is talking to you through the oak tree, the
thistle and me. The spider moved back into his home
and closed the trapdoor.
For
days I paced around the cabin, reliving each moment and the words about
strength, peace, and opportunities. I prayed and cried. I read about
mysticism and nature.
One
morning, I awoke and saw Miles and Lynn standing beside my bed. We will
always be with you in your heart. Let nature continue to teach you.
The
magnificent oak tree taught how to be strong of body, mind, and heart. Staying
healthy and opening my arms to others became my ways of living.
I
found beauty in my life and other people after removing my thorns of bitterness
and self-pity.
My
cabin was a trap shutting out people until I opened its doors and
made it a home and retreat center. I added rooms for guests to stay
and classrooms for teaching.
I
called my new endeavor Nature Speaks, helping people to commune
with and learn from all aspects of nature. When people open their hearts and
minds to nature there are opportunities for a richer life.
Thank you for supporting this member along the WATCH "RWISA" WRITE Showcase Tour today! We ask that if you have enjoyed this member's writing, please visit his/her Author Page on the RWISA site, where you can find more of his/her writing, along with contact and social media links, if you've been turned into a fan.
We ask that you also check out his/her books in the RWISA or RRBC catalogs. Thanks, again for your support and we hope that you will follow each member along this amazing tour of talent! Don't forget to click the link below to learn more about this author:
Thank you for hosting me today, Yvette. Your support is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure, Karen! :-)
Delete