In the Stillness

I often think back to the years when I worked as a forester in Maine, and remember special, one of a kind moments. Although at the time, I’m sure I thought these were great experiences, it’s only now that I am older that I can really appreciate their value.

One rainy, late spring morning, I found myself aching to get out of the office. I don’t remember what it was that weighed on my mind that day, but I do remember the feeling of needing some space from the world, and a safe place to cry. Surely, the forest would provide solitude. I drove down the winding Canton Point Road to an area I was responsible for managing. Even though I put on my cruising vest and took the orange roll of flagging with me, I knew I had no intention of working. Soon, I found myself sitting on a boulder the size of a VW Beetle, sobbing while the rain fell all around me. An hour went by. Eventually, my tears subsided, and I was quiet in the stillness of the newly green forest. I couldn’t cry any more or even think any more so I just sat and enjoyed the peacefulness. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught some slight movement, and there she was! A dappled fawn, probably only a few weeks old, wandered not more than ten feet from the boulder. How sweet it must be to have not a care in the world.

Our encounter was fleeting, but it was long enough. She looked up at me, I looked at her and whispered, “Thanks.” Then she was off.

So often as we go through our days, we find ourselves in need of stillness, but we reject it. Doing nothing is unfortunately viewed as unproductive in these times of multitasking, texting, and social networking. Now, I know, being still can be just as productive as being busy. It’s part of my parenting repertoire these days for my five children.

When one of them is stressed, I often recommend that they spend a few moments on the porch swing. There’s a bronze plaque hung on the porch post, visible only to the person on the swing that reads “Be Still and Know that I Am”.

On T-day in June, how about offering someone time to be alone, to be still? Whether it’s a frazzled parent, or a teacher pushed to her limits by a class anxious for summer, giving each other our time is so important.
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