I never cease to be amazed by the forest. I feel as if day after day, season after season the forest continues to reveal itself to me, and though I do not fully understand, I am honored to share in its mysteries. This week I spent a day in the woods, just to explore, and to slow down and rest my mind. I find nothing so calming as to be amongst the trees and what other nature can be found there. I did find the peace I sought, but only after quite the surprise.
That day there were cheery flowers on every bush, and little red squirrels were leaping from limb to limb. I found a stream I had never noticed before. It must have formed with all the rain and melted snow, and I decided to follow it deeper into the forest. I saw that it came from a larger stream with more branches, and its gentle trickles turned into the rush of a little river. As my eyes traced it up the top of a little hill, my heart dropped. Oh goodness, there right in the middle of the water, stood a giant! I yelped and moved behind a tree, hoping it was big enough to hide me, and covered my mouth, trying to calm myself. Surely it would hear me; my heart was pounding so hard. But as I listened…I heard… nothing. No boom of giant feet on the earth or the splash of giant hands in the water, just the water gurgling over the rocks like it had before. What was I to do? Should I run? Should I stay still until it went away? I was terrified…but the forest remained peaceful as ever.
Finally I thought it might be safe to take another peak. If it was looking the other way, I could run off. So, quick as I could, I darted my head out for a glace. It was still facing me, but I got a better look that time. It stood more than twice my height, with gray skin and greenish hair. But wait… greenish hair? I was puzzled. Slowly this time, I looked again and looked hard, and then I laughed out loud with such relief. It was no giant, just a boulder!
When I climbed up the hill to get a closer look, I saw that it had been carved to look like a giant. It had a roughly hewn face and hands, and the green moss on top of its head looked like shaggy hair. I took off my boots and stockings and waded into the water for a better look. Its design was simple and beautiful, rounded and smooth, and something else too. It had a pattern of vines at the base, very similar to the ones on my mirror. Oh, I was thrilled! Could it be that they were made by the same person?
Dear reader, I found myself wholly charmed by the stone giant and stayed there all day. I wondered how it must have come to be there. Did someone put it in the water? Probably not. The river must have formed later, and slowly deepening its bed around it year after year. It was such a serene spot, I decided to eat my little packed luncheon there while listening to the running water. It was so calming that I almost forgot about everything else, but then I thought of Alexander and of Mrs. Algar’s words, peace and quiet… I had not planned to gather any Impressions that day, but I did have a jug of water. I finished it off and drew out all the pleasant feelings of that moment. To be like the giant, still, nowhere to go, nothing to do. To be like the river, gently rolling, patient as time which moves everything along.
After my encounter with the stone giant, I feel more at ease to work and, well, about everything else too. I have gone back to that place a few times already, and each time it helps me calm my mind. I have decided to use the Impression I drew there to make Peace for Alexander and Mrs. Algar… and for myself. It seems to me that sometimes the things that once seemed scary are not so bad after a little time and understanding. And even when there is so much to do, with tasks that feel impossible, a moment of calm can give you the strength to keep going. Both Mrs. Algar and Alexander have much to do; I hope that this Peace remedy will help them to find the calm they need, whether that be to take a moment’s rest or to have the peace of mind to face whatever challenges the future may hold.