This morning I woke feeling a bit off kilter. After eight days of being in a very intensive and regimented program of scoring AP English Literature essays, I suddenly had six undefined hours ahead of me before I needed to be at the airport, and my morning felt oddly stiff, like donning a new pair of shoes. I attempted to lay in bed but dawn called me out and up and lead me to wander beside the Ohio River, which snakes along the backside of Louisville, Kentucky.
Forest Fairy
When was the last time you wandered off into a forest? I don’t mean a path through a wooded area of your neighborhood park, but a real, honest, forest romp, where the old growth trees touch the bottom of the passing clouds and the ferns cluster down below in earnest abundance. I had such a lovely walk last weekend, with family and friends and a loved pooch, and despite our chatter we surprised a fairy, as she sat upon her leafy throne. No, not a metaphor, a real fairy, on a real fern throne, who, in her surprise, flew in plain view, eyed us cautiously, and then fluttered with her translucent white wings to the treetops, eventually hidden from our sight. Yes, a forest fairy, who clearly crossed our paths for one magical moment, and helped us remember just how lucky we are, to be breathing this vibrant clear air, to be treading this soft earth, and to be cocooned together in such love. All in that split second, our fairy shot right through our city cynicism and acted as a gentle reminder of all that is spectacular in life’s adventures.
I Do
Wedding Invites… Have at least one or two lying on your desk or stuck on your fridge? June through Labor Day weekends are awash with scanning gift registries, making travel plans, coordinating hotel stays, all for the sole purpose of being present for the lucky couple’s vows: Because that’s the whole point, right? To stand together, in churches or synagogues, on hilltops or beaches, to join in the public acknowledgement of the marriage, and inherent in that standing together, to support and celebrate this fragile union.
