I am thinking about all you (and Annie Dillard) say, here. It occurs to me that this recollecting applies directly, in my world, working with clients who have trauma. And this has me thinking more deeply about sense memories (and, overall, implicit memory) and trauma work. Thank you, Stephanie.
What profound insights, thank you for sharing and for the healing work you do in this world. Your comment and readership are so meaningful, you are good medicine indeed. ❤
Omg! Finally another person whose first word was “kitty”! This is a very inspiring piece. I love the story about the whales too and now I will never do another motorboat trip either. Thank you!
Martha, your comment made my day!!! I would love to hear more about your first word experience. And, yes are the ONLY other person I've met who shares this formative framing. Thank you also for your incredibly touching commitment about the whales. So happy to have met you here; I just subbed to your account as well. I'll look forward to future conversations! ❤
One wonders why some reject silence. Boom boxes at the beach, wind chimes, blaring music in a yard, having the TV on 24/7. Why do some need all this audio stimulation? Is there a fear of silence?
It's an astute question, Alyne!!! Perhaps it's because silence forces us to come to grips with ourselves at the core. You always ask such good questions...
I love this writing! I don't believe I could live happily without my forest walks in quiet places. Some of my forest walks still have urban noise, but even there I find peace and healing. Gardens also bring joy and peace. I believe we can find it where ever nature is and for that I am very grateful.
I am so happy that telling Whizzo I wanted to be a black horse when I grew up has lived in my memory for almost 70 years now, and that I shared the story with you on one of our wonderful forest walks. 🌲🔆🩵
I deeply respect how you have stayed true to your love of animals and the natural world in every regard! You DID become a black horse when you grew up. And I love you for it! ❤ ❤ ❤
From horses to whales (cats not so much-dogs were my constant companions) we share a connection. I used to go and sit under my horse when anything upset me. And have been lucky to have had many encounters with whales-they never fail to move me.
As for silence-it is my haven. I'm luck to live in a place where it is a constant.
The image of you "sitting under your horse" is astonishing Dawn. Wow, I just LOVE that. I hope somebody got photos! We are meant to live in harmony with this planet and its many different life forms. Thank you for reading and sharing this life-changing knowledge. And for loving silence as well, something we are also meant for. <3
He was pretty mellow. I wouldn't recommend this unless you know your horse well:) No photos. My family knew to stay away when I was there, let me work through my feelings on my own.
The engines cut, wobble to a halt then stop. All is a singing silence in my ears as I gape out towards the mist shrouded and hilly forests…, The door opens… and the jungle seeps into my soul…enveloping my whole self so utterly and completely…My senses becoming accustomed to the very place I had dreamed of for all those long years, began to tune in… Parrots... Singing cicadas, frogs and the drip... Drip... dripping of soft rain, the earthy smells clouded with unfamiliar exotic scents on the breeze, the taste of the sky above and around me, the colours of sound, the sensation of hearing the light… here I am, at last… I have come home; seemingly I have never been away!
I loved your writing Stephanie, This is what I experienced when landing on a jungle airstrip in the Guyana Highlands.... Kind regards Keith
You brought me right there Keith!!! Wild and free parrots!!! My heart soars with them. Thank you so much for reading, for commenting, and for loving this beautiful Earth.
It feels right that a cat tapped you even before birth to be a powerful advocate for them (and since they are benevolent at times, they ok'd you helping other animals too, lol!) and it makes sense the gongs resonated so strongly for you, given the cat purrs fused deep into your being while in the womb!
HI Stephanie. Thankyou for that deeply interesting dive back into your childhood, and forward to key experiences. The description of the whales...... sublime.
And yes, the sounds of nature - so calming. There is nothing to beat sleeping under the stars by a mountain river......
Thank you so much, it means a lot to me. And I have now discovered your writing as well and can't wait to dive in. Your title of "the power of one person" speaks so much unto itself. Grateful to have you here!
Thank you for bringing these concepts to life in such a healing way!
Thank you PQP for being there from the beginning! I was sending you essays long before I ever dreamed about a blog. So grateful! ❤
I am thinking about all you (and Annie Dillard) say, here. It occurs to me that this recollecting applies directly, in my world, working with clients who have trauma. And this has me thinking more deeply about sense memories (and, overall, implicit memory) and trauma work. Thank you, Stephanie.
What profound insights, thank you for sharing and for the healing work you do in this world. Your comment and readership are so meaningful, you are good medicine indeed. ❤
Thank you for these lovely kindnesses.
Omg! Finally another person whose first word was “kitty”! This is a very inspiring piece. I love the story about the whales too and now I will never do another motorboat trip either. Thank you!
Martha, your comment made my day!!! I would love to hear more about your first word experience. And, yes are the ONLY other person I've met who shares this formative framing. Thank you also for your incredibly touching commitment about the whales. So happy to have met you here; I just subbed to your account as well. I'll look forward to future conversations! ❤
Oh, this is so beautiful Stephanie. I love the story of Muffin sitting on your mom’s pregnant tummy, purring into you a destiny of animal advocacy.
Thank you Auntie, what lovely wording you chose. He truly shaped who I would become. Thank you as always for reading and commenting! ❤
This is Beautiful.
Loved this.
Thank you for sharing.
Means so much Dustin, thank you for reading and being here!
One wonders why some reject silence. Boom boxes at the beach, wind chimes, blaring music in a yard, having the TV on 24/7. Why do some need all this audio stimulation? Is there a fear of silence?
It's an astute question, Alyne!!! Perhaps it's because silence forces us to come to grips with ourselves at the core. You always ask such good questions...
I love this writing! I don't believe I could live happily without my forest walks in quiet places. Some of my forest walks still have urban noise, but even there I find peace and healing. Gardens also bring joy and peace. I believe we can find it where ever nature is and for that I am very grateful.
I am so happy that telling Whizzo I wanted to be a black horse when I grew up has lived in my memory for almost 70 years now, and that I shared the story with you on one of our wonderful forest walks. 🌲🔆🩵
I deeply respect how you have stayed true to your love of animals and the natural world in every regard! You DID become a black horse when you grew up. And I love you for it! ❤ ❤ ❤
We knew it as babes,
there’s order, but not “other.”
Grow into black horse!
This is beautifully written, Stephanie! Recalling a time of innocence, before we became bombarded with information.
This means so much to me, Rea, and thank you for restacking!! What an honor, as I love your writing and work dearly. <3
It’s a pleasure, Stephanie. <3
Another good one!
From horses to whales (cats not so much-dogs were my constant companions) we share a connection. I used to go and sit under my horse when anything upset me. And have been lucky to have had many encounters with whales-they never fail to move me.
As for silence-it is my haven. I'm luck to live in a place where it is a constant.
Thanks for your words!
The image of you "sitting under your horse" is astonishing Dawn. Wow, I just LOVE that. I hope somebody got photos! We are meant to live in harmony with this planet and its many different life forms. Thank you for reading and sharing this life-changing knowledge. And for loving silence as well, something we are also meant for. <3
He was pretty mellow. I wouldn't recommend this unless you know your horse well:) No photos. My family knew to stay away when I was there, let me work through my feelings on my own.
The engines cut, wobble to a halt then stop. All is a singing silence in my ears as I gape out towards the mist shrouded and hilly forests…, The door opens… and the jungle seeps into my soul…enveloping my whole self so utterly and completely…My senses becoming accustomed to the very place I had dreamed of for all those long years, began to tune in… Parrots... Singing cicadas, frogs and the drip... Drip... dripping of soft rain, the earthy smells clouded with unfamiliar exotic scents on the breeze, the taste of the sky above and around me, the colours of sound, the sensation of hearing the light… here I am, at last… I have come home; seemingly I have never been away!
I loved your writing Stephanie, This is what I experienced when landing on a jungle airstrip in the Guyana Highlands.... Kind regards Keith
You brought me right there Keith!!! Wild and free parrots!!! My heart soars with them. Thank you so much for reading, for commenting, and for loving this beautiful Earth.
Deeply felt…
It feels right that a cat tapped you even before birth to be a powerful advocate for them (and since they are benevolent at times, they ok'd you helping other animals too, lol!) and it makes sense the gongs resonated so strongly for you, given the cat purrs fused deep into your being while in the womb!
Loved this JF!!!!
Loved reading this, Stephanie!
HI Stephanie. Thankyou for that deeply interesting dive back into your childhood, and forward to key experiences. The description of the whales...... sublime.
And yes, the sounds of nature - so calming. There is nothing to beat sleeping under the stars by a mountain river......
Best Wishes - Dave :)
Amen to the stars and a mountain river Dave! Nothing beats the sights and sounds of the natural world, which we are meant for. Thank you!
Loved seeing the young Stephanie, all gives hope for the future!
Thank you Eileen. We would have been fast friends as children! ❤
Thank you so much for this glorious writing. It was a pleasure to read.
Thank you so much, it means a lot to me. And I have now discovered your writing as well and can't wait to dive in. Your title of "the power of one person" speaks so much unto itself. Grateful to have you here!