I am currently enrolled in a Natural Systems Thinking Process course that is designed to reawaken many of our senses that have, well, been lying dormant — for a long time! Typically, we learn about five senses, right? Add 48 more senses to that, learn how to reawaken them, and chances are you’ll be thinking, feeling and sensing in the most organic, balanced way possible. Regular, hands-on contact and genuine relationships with nature and its guiding voice and a belief that elements of nature operate in perfect balance help ignite or reawaken these senses. (More about this in the weeks to come!)
To me, this recent experience below — full of nature-full connections — is one of nature’s many examples of how it naturally flows and attaches like a puzzle to to nourish and heal us.
There is a neighbor of mine, one whom I don’t know very well who has a lovely Orange tree in her front yard. I met this neighbor once, about a year ago as I was returning home from a walk. As she was removing mail from her mailbox at the entrance of her driveway, I paused from walking, introduced myself, met her and learned that her children are grown — after telling her I would soon be off to my son’s soccer game. "I remember those days," she said.
On the rare occasion that I see this neighbor pulling in or out of her driveway, I wave to her, but other than that, I just don’t see her very much.
Recently, Charo and Chris, friends of mine, were visiting me and saw the Orange tree in this neighbor’s yard. "Do you ever get oranges from over there?" Chris asked as he sat in his car admiring that divine tree. "I would love to," I replied "but I just don’t know those neighbors that well."
I often pass that tree, longing for some oranges from it, but the most I’ve done to make that happen is merely think about asking the owners if they’re interested in selling some of their delicious-looking fruit. "When I ask that question, they might be interested in just giving me some oranges," I said to my son one day.
Only a few days after Charo and Chris’ visit and inquiry about the Orange tree, I happened to see one of the owners of the tree pulling into their driveway as I was in mine unloading bananas, grapes, plums and peaches I had just purchased from the grocery store. With grocery bags in one hand, I waved with the other to the neighbor. I really couldn’t tell if it was the lady I had once met, but I waved anyway. Turns out, it was her.
She exited her car and started walking toward my house. "Penny, would you have any use for some oranges or Ruby Red grapefruit?" she asked. Wow, not only was I impressed that she had remembered my name from meeting me about a year prior, but she was asking if I wanted fruit from the trees in her yard — just days after Chris’ inquiry. And, she grew grapefruits, too? I had no idea.
I did hear what she had said, but because of my shock at how this was unfolding, I had to be sure. "Excuse me?" I asked as I began walking toward her. To think that she had even used the words "for juicing" when she asked if I had use for oranges. "How did she even know I juice?" I wondered. How’d she make that connection?
I gladly accepted her offer and walked with her to collect a bag full of oranges and one filled with grapefruit. She explained that in order for her Orange tree to blossom next season, she and her husband had to pick all of the oranges off of the tree; they ended up with an abundance of them that they had been distributing to friends, family, anyone who would take them. And, they still had a bunch left.
I mentioned my friends who had recently asked about the oranges on her tree. "They eat oranges all the time, so if you need to get rid of more, they’d be happy to receive some," I stated. "Take them a bag, too," she said.
A few days later, when my husband and son returned home from a basketball practice, my husband asked: "Did you see two bags of oranges at the door?" "No, I didn’t," I replied. Lo and Behold, this lovely neighbor had delivered more fruit right to my door. It wasn’t two bags of oranges as my husband had thought, but rather one bag of oranges and another of grapefruit. Because I knew the oranges would be used more quickly than the grapefruit in my household, and I didn’t want the grapefruit to spoil, I ended up giving a fair amount to my next-door neighbor and another friend.
Before getting the opportunity to give my fruit-giving neighbor a thank-you card, I caught a glimpse of her in her yard picking more oranges yesterday. I walked over to thank her, and another bag of oranges came home with me — just what my son had hoped for when I told him I was going to pop over there to thank her.
I have been deeply touched by her generosity and have volunteered help from my son and I the next time there’s a need for pickin’ oranges from that tree.
Turns out, my son ended feeling under the weather today. He has a fever, and it seems fresh Orange juice (and lots of water) make the perfect remedy for his needs. See how yesterday’s freshly picked oranges have come in handy? Yes, I could have simply made a trip to the store for oranges, but I ended up with some perfectly organic ones instead.
Take a moment to pause and reflect on this story and the way nature perfectly aligned its elements to send the freshest of oranges to my family…and friends!
Is that not perfect nature at work? 🙂
With Gratitude,
Penny