Moments of Connection

"When people go within and connect with themselves, they realize they are connected to the universe and they are connected to all living things."  Armand DiMele

One of my favorite songs is from the Broadway play Rent. The lyrics read, “how do you measure a year in the life?... In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife…how about in love?"

Certainly, our time in social isolation has brought this question up in my mind frequently. What gives my life meaning? Is it the images I processed?  The quilts I have made? The walks I have taken?

No!

It is the times where love has burst forth from my heart towards others. It is the times when I have made my nephews or great-nieces laugh. Or the moment my dog Willow and I understood each other’s gaze. Or the moment I captured my great-niece protecting my rescue dachshund from something that scared her. 

Once I had this amazing experience visiting Yosemite. It was the morning I was leaving and my friends were still sawing logs before the long journey home. I rose early and ventured out into the morning dew. With each step, I breathed in the air of this magical place. As I approached the river, my eye caught movement! Staring at me as I gazed deep into her eyes was a doe and her fawn. She watched as I gingerly stepped closer, pausing between each step. About 10 feet away I paused until she determined I was not a threat and allowed herself and her fawn to drink. I waited. After their thirst was filled, they began to slowly walk away, stopping every so often to watch me. I held my breath as I steadily crept forward, pausing when they paused.

Finally, they took one last glance at me and crawled under an evergreen to lie down. I could not believe it! Holding my breath, I lay at the edge of the tree peering in. We lay there, together, interspecies friends. Each knew the other meant no harm. It was an endless moment and precious and years later is as fresh as ever. 

No camera!

Doe

Only memorialized in my mind, for as long as I live. Am I sad I had no camera? Honestly, yes and no. It would have been amazing to have that image. Yet, would the connection had happened with the intrusion of the camera? Some moments are only meant for the heart.

All life and all creatures are connected. When lives collide it can bring pain and hardship or joy and love. Too often we let the hardships or hurts in our lives define us. Moments of connection compose life’s greatest blessing. 
 

Sure, images are important. They immortalize the moments of connectedness.  It is in these moments that life is worth living!

How are you doing through this time of social distancing? Are there moments you cherish that are getting you through this time?

Til next time, stay well and enjoy your connections!