the other day something happened to me.
i’ve tried to explain it once, twice, to trusted others. to no avail.
i’ve heard others say things similar to what i experienced.
heck, i have probably said similar things in the past.
actually, i know i have said similar things in the past, even as recently as last autumn when i wrote about a deciduous tree who welcomed me (http://tealarborstories.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-welcoming-tree.html)
trees as sentient beings. not a new idea, nor a new experience.
but what happened the other day felt completely different, unprecedented. perhaps because we are in unprecedented times:
(…it may take me a few tries, over time, to really articulate this clearly…)
as i stepped onto the dirt road that leads me to my forested trail – where the protected area is to the left and a few rural properties are to the right -
i was stopped. by the sea of trees on my starboard side.
out for a vigorous hike but suddenly just stopped on the road, agape at this crowd of “not-forest” forest trees.
for a few seconds
they were not just trees, not just alive, not just the same guys i pass every day, not just ecological beings, not just redcedars and douglas firs, not just those whose lives i honor in as many ways as i can think to do
no.
these trees became sentient. beyond sentient: perfect, brilliant, intelligent, healthy, my kin, my people – tall, strong, sturdy companions
they told me that:
they are here,
they are not sick,
they intend to stand by me: caressing, holding, nourishing, protecting, remaining
they will guide, soothe, inspire, instruct, envelop, nurture
farther along the trail - wind through boughs became soft, gentle giggling
all of this was palpable in a swift flush of image, sensation, insight
and in my overwhelm of feeling, all i could utter - as i brought my hands together at my heart - was:
“thank you”